BRICS leaders have adopted a new framework to strengthen cooperation on solar manufacturing, energy storage, smart grids, critical minerals and other clean-energy technologies, with a focus on building resilient supply chains and expanding industrial capabilities across the Global South.
The measures were included in the New Delhi Declaration, adopted during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12. The declaration outlines cooperation across clean technology manufacturing, energy transition, climate finance and sustainable infrastructure.
The declaration adopts a Terms of Reference and Action Plan for the BRICS Photovoltaic Industry Working Group, creating a framework for greater cooperation across the solar value chain.
BRICS members plan to establish national knowledge portals and develop a BRICS Solar Photovoltaic Cooperation Roadmap covering technology, financing and skills development.
The framework also promotes greater participation by developing countries in higher-value clean technology manufacturing through investment, technology transfer and industrial cooperation. It is linked to the BRICS Global Value Chain Action Plan 2026–2030, which aims to strengthen industrial cooperation and diversify manufacturing capabilities.
Energy storage has emerged as a key component of the BRICS energy transition agenda. The declaration welcomes the BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage, supporting cooperation on technologies and infrastructure needed to integrate renewable energy into power systems.
India’s proposed BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage also received support under the declaration. The initiative is intended to strengthen collaboration on digital technologies, smart-grid development and energy-storage applications.
The measures highlight the growing role of battery energy storage systems in improving grid flexibility, integrating variable renewable energy and strengthening energy-system resilience.
BRICS leaders also placed greater emphasis on critical mineral supply chains, calling for reliable, responsible, diversified, resilient, fair and sustainable access to key resources.
The declaration links the development of critical minerals with domestic value addition, economic diversification and higher-value manufacturing. It also supports increased investment, technology transfer and industrial cooperation to enable developing economies to participate more extensively in clean technology supply chains.
Critical minerals are increasingly important to the production of batteries, electric vehicles, renewable-energy equipment and other clean technologies. Strengthening supply chains for these materials is therefore positioned as an important element of the broader energy-transition strategy.
The BRICS declaration also advances cooperation on low-emission hydrogen, including work on interoperable standards for zero- and low-emission hydrogen.
Members welcomed ongoing work on hydrogen value chains and a joint report examining opportunities across the sector. The broader clean technology agenda includes solar power, energy storage, smart grids, hydrogen and sustainable mobility.
The declaration calls for just, orderly, equitable and inclusive energy transitions, while highlighting the importance of diversified energy sources and resilient value chains.
BRICS members also recognised the continuing role of fossil fuels in the energy mix, particularly for emerging markets and developing economies. The approach places energy security alongside the expansion of renewable energy and clean technologies.
The declaration further connects energy security with the protection of critical infrastructure, stable energy supplies and resilient trade and supply chains.
Financing clean-energy and climate projects remains another key area of cooperation. The declaration highlights debt burdens and limited fiscal capacity as challenges for developing economies seeking to increase climate and energy investments.
BRICS called for greater access to additional, predictable and accessible climate finance, alongside technology and capacity-building support.
The bloc also noted progress under its Multilateral Guarantees initiative, including technical work and pilot transactions aimed at improving project creditworthiness and reducing financing costs.
The New Development Bank is expected to continue supporting sustainable development through increased resource mobilisation and local-currency lending.
The declaration also supports cooperation on sustainable mobility, including the establishment of a BRICS Urban Mobility Hub focused on accessible, affordable and smart urban transportation.
Members also backed a logistics supply-chain cooperation framework and continued discussions on a BRICS Railway Research Network. Cooperation on Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Low-Carbon Aviation Fuels is intended to support emissions reduction in international aviation.
The declaration further promotes climate-resilient infrastructure and early-warning systems, supporting efforts to strengthen the resilience of urban infrastructure and critical systems.
The latest BRICS framework places clean technology manufacturing and supply-chain resilience at the centre of its broader economic cooperation agenda.
Solar photovoltaics, battery energy storage, smart grids, critical minerals, hydrogen and sustainable mobility are increasingly interconnected across global energy supply chains. The new initiatives seek to encourage greater industrial cooperation, technology transfer, investment and domestic value addition across BRICS economies.
India’s year-long BRICS chairship included more than 400 meetings and engagements across 30 cities during 2026. China will assume the BRICS chairship in 2027 and host the 19th BRICS Summit.
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