During the visit to India by the President of Myanmar, Mr. Min Aung Hlaing, the delegation visited NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), which is the research wing of NTPC Ltd.

The Myanmar visit highlighted aspects of energy research, technology development, and innovation in the power industry. The delegation was given briefings on various aspects being worked on by NETRA in the areas of clean energy, power generation, carbon handling, and new energy technologies.

NETRA, located in Greater Noida, functions as the research centre for NTPC, conducting research activities and developing technologies associated with coal-based thermal power plants, renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and environmental management.

According to NTPC, the delegation interacted on research and development projects in relation to renewable energy, carbon capture technologies, green hydrogen, and advanced energy technologies. The delegates also discussed work done in relation to energy transition technologies and grid modernization technologies.

The meeting comes at a time when several Asian countries have been making efforts towards expanding electrification, power infrastructure modernization, and increasing the percentage of green energy in the energy mix. This has seen an increasing role played by research organizations and government utilities in relation to technological developments.

NETRA was set up by the company NTPC to research power generation technology, fuels, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. As years have passed, NETRA has diversified into renewable energy systems, battery systems, hydrogen applications, and carbon management technologies.

Increased funding for research associated with decarbonization and energy transition can be seen at NTPC. Pilot projects for green hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, energy storage, and renewable integration are underway.

During the visit, there were interactions between the Myanmar delegation and NTPC representatives and visits to laboratory facilities and demonstration facilities at the R&D Centre. Topics covered during the discussions were progress in power technology and possible technical cooperation.

India and Myanmar cooperate in many sectors, such as energy, infrastructure, and capacity building. One of those aspects of cooperation between India and Myanmar is technical cooperation through institutions and public sector organizations.

The visit to NETRA demonstrated the important role of research centers in supporting innovation in power technology as utilities seek to optimize processes for better efficiency and energy security.