New Delhi, Dec 12 (Agency) In a significant endorsement of India’s pioneering initiative in establishment of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the United Nations has granted an ‘observer status’ to the ISA. The UN decision will not only give impetus to “one sun one world one grid” but also provide a big boost to the initiative to bring about just and equitable energy solutions through the deployment of solar energy. “The historic decision of granting ‘observer status’ to ISA by UN would immensely help towards achieving the goal of net-zero carbon emissions through global co-operations,” said Union Minister for Power and MNRE R.K. Singh in a tweet.
The launch of the ISA was announced by Prime Minister Modi and then French President Francois Hollande on 30 November, 2015 at the 21st session of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. The launch was attended by heads of about 120 nations, who had affirmed their participation in the Alliance to dedicate efforts for promotion of solar energy. The ISA is leading the vision of ‘OSOWOG’ which aims at an interconnected grid and smart grid technology which will integrate different world zones to achieve transmission of energy from the areas who have surplus to those in deficit. The OSOWOG initiative is estimated to be more cost efficient than decarbonizing the existing grid infrastructure.
The idea of OSOWOG has potential to reduce 70% greenhouse gas emissions, caused by fossil fuels. India is progressively contributing to this mission by having a significant share of renewable energy in the power mix. The US has recently joined the ISA as the 101st member country in a development welcomed by India and seen as giving a boost to global adoption of solar energy. The two countries had set the stage by jointly launching the Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue (CAFMD), which is one of the two tracks of the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership. The US membership of ISA also signals global recognition of the energy source’s potential as a catalyst for global energy transition.