Minister Tiilikainen opens Fortum’s first e-charging station in India

The first charging station for electric vehicles built by Fortum was opened in New Delhi, India on 4 October. Also present at the opening ceremony was the Finnish Minister for Housing, Energy and the Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen, as part of his Team Finland visit to India.

– I am delighted that the best technology expertise of Finnish companies and the sustainable solutions they offer have now been exported to India. India is one of the fastest developing economies in the world. Rapid growth is a challenge for the environment, but it also opens up great opportunities.

– What I see here is an excellent opportunity to utilise the technology expertise of Finnish companies in support of sustainable growth in the Indian economy and in the energy sector, Minister Tiilikainen says.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Fortum and NBCC, an undertaking under the Ministry of Urban Development of India, Fortum will participate in the planning and implementation of projects concerning charging systems for electric vehicles in India. The aim is to open 150 similar charging stations within the next 12 to 18 months.

In India Minister Tiilikainen is accompanied by a business delegation of 21 companies representing the energy, environmental technology, bioeconomy, cleantech and technology sectors. The companies, led by the Minister, also participated in two business seminars organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCI, one in Lucknow and one in New Delhi.

During the visit Finland will showcase its competence in the energy sector, in particular, in renewable energy technologies, circular economy, smart networks, smart transport and charging systems, smart cities, and energy use and recycling of waste.

Minister Tiilikainen will also meet ministers representing the relevant sectors in the Government of India and the Government of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Inquiries:
Ismo Tiainen, Director of Administration and International Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 40 504 7494
Arto Räty, Senior Vice President, Fortum, tel. +358 50 411 7384 (head of the business delegation, charging stations)
Petri Peltonen, Permanent State Under-Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 626 63
Mikko Pötsönen, Counsellor, Embassy of Finland, New Delhi, tel. +91 11 4149 7500
Mauri Vieru, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 431 6519