2021-12-21 11:11:23
International Solar Alliance
Why in news?
· United Nations General Assembly granted Observer status to International Solar Alliance (ISA).
· The 76th UNGA President Abdulla Shahid informed that the General Assembly, based on the 6th Committee report, unanimously decided to invite the ISA to participate in the sessions and work of the General Assembly in the capacity of an “Observer”.
International Solar Alliance (ISA)-
International Solar Alliance was launched at Paris climate change conference in 2015 by the President of France and the Prime minister of India.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a multi-country partnership organisation and has 124 member countries.
Most of the countries are the sunshine countries, which are located either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. It is now extended to all UN members.
The framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance opened for signatures in Marrakech, Morocco in November 2016, and 200 countries have joined.
The objective of the alliance is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
Significance of International Solar Alliance-
Energy security: Most of the sunshine countries are poor and the least developing. Hence, solar power becomes vital to meet the energy demand.
Clean power: Unlike conventional thermal power generation from coal, they do not cause pollution and generate clean power.
Enhance Standard of living: Most of the countries of ISA are in less income category, solar energy for electricity generation can meet requirement of local population and would help to generate more income.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) Initiatives-
· ISA partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies: The International Solar Alliance announced a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to mobilize $1 trillion in global investments for solar energy across ISA’s member countries.
· ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative: It is an international initiative to create an interconnected global power grid.
1. It imagines renewable energy from solar, wind and water flowing “across continents, countries and communities” from where it is abundant to where it is needed.
2. OSOWOG was first announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
· Management of Solar PV panels & battery usage waste & Solar Hydrogen programme: The new Hydrogen initiative is aimed at enabling the use of solar electricity to produce hydrogen at a more affordable rate than what is available currently (USD 5 per KG), by bringing it down to USD 2 per KG.
Solar Energy Initiatives of India:
· National Solar Mission: To establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible.
INDC’s target:
1. It targets installing 100 GW grid-connected solar power plants by the year 2022.
2. India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) target to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources.
3. To reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% from 2005 level by 2030.
· Government Schemes: Such as Solar Park Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme etc.
Challenges with ISA-
· Technical issue: Many of the member countries of ISA have poor technical capabilities, therefore do not know how best to leverage the platform.
· Capital cost: It is the biggest obstacle to solar deployment, and other challenge for ISA is attracting investments.
Way forward-
The granting of Observer Status to ISA in the General Assembly would help provide for regular and well-defined cooperation between the Alliance and the United Nations that would benefit global energy growth and development.
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