India to execute solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles under Quad agreement
New Delhi, Nov 26 (Agency) The Ministry of External Affairs and the International Solar Alliance signed an agreement under the Quad Climate Working Group Initiative to execute new solar projects in the Indo-Pacific countries of Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. The Wilmington Declaration released at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware, USA on September 21 this year, stated that the Quad countries will work together, through policy and public finance, to operationalise their commitment to catalyse complementary and high-standard private sector investment in allied and partner clean energy supply chains. To this end, India has committed to invest USD two million in new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.
On 26 November 2024, the Project Implementation Agreement was signed between Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) to execute the projects in these Indo-Pacific countries. The ISA, as the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) would provide programmatic assistance to Comoros, Fiji, Madagascar and Seychelles with financial support from India, a statement said. As per a study undertaken by the ISA, the countries under consideration for solar projects have energy issues related to perishability of agriculture products, unreliable electricity supply in health centers and for irrigation purposes in remote areas where grid power supply or solar mini grids are not available yet. Based on discussions with the project recipient countries, solar projects in the areas of cold storage, solarization of health care facilities and solar water pumping systems are under consideration. The successful execution of these projects is expected to enhance energy access, create employment, and provide reliable and quality power supply in these Indo-Pacific countries.
Unequal access to reliable, and secure sources of energy and electricity has inhibited holistic economic development and social justice for nations and communities across the world. Solar energy is a viable solution to help these countries address climate change-related challenges. The latest round of clean energy investments by India in these countries shall help strengthen the commitment of the Quad to address the challenges posed by climate change and facilitate their transition to a clean energy economy for the people, planet and our shared prosperity. The MEA spokesperson posted on X: “A new chapter in Quad Climate Initiatives. “A Project Implementation Agreement was signed between Ministry of External Affairs and International Solar Alliance to operationalise solar projects in Comoros, Fiji, Madagascar and Seychelles. “These projects underscore India’s Quad commitment to renewables and just energy transitions in island nations of the Indo-Pacific.”