About International Solar Alliance

Context:          

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will soon publish its inaugural ‘global solar stocktake report.’ This initiative is inspired by the first-ever ‘Global Stocktake’ conducted by the United Nations Conference of Parties, scheduled to take place in Dubai later this year.

Relevance:

GS3- Environment

Dimensions of the article:

1. About the report
2. About ISA
3. The 4-Priority Areas of the Program
4. Important Projects of the ISA
5. Conclusion

About the Report:

• During the Global Stocktake, countries are expected to provide an account of their efforts to shift their economies away from fossil fuels and outline plans for course correction if their commitments prove insufficient to prevent severe global warming.
• This process, stemming from the 2015 Paris Agreement, is slated to occur every five years.
• Its purpose is to assess the progress made by member countries in adopting solar energy. It was noted that in 2020, approximately $300 billion was invested in solar, increasing to about $380 billion in 2022. However, manufacturing remains unevenly concentrated in China.
• The stocktake will explore strategies to diversify solar manufacturing.

About ISA:

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a collaborative platform driven by its members with a proactive approach to promote the widespread adoption of solar energy technologies.
• Its primary objective is to facilitate energy accessibility, ensure energy security, and steer the transition towards cleaner energy sources in its member nations.
• The ISA was initiated as a joint effort between India and France to mobilize collective action against climate change by promoting the use of solar energy solutions.
• The headquarters is located in India, with its Interim Secretariat based in Gurugram.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to the International Solar Alliance. This status facilitates well-defined cooperation between the Alliance and the United Nations, fostering global energy growth and development.

The 4-Priority Areas of the Program:

These priority areas are designed to create a conducive environment for investments in solar energy within the member countries. These areas encompass:

1. Analytics & Advocacy
2. Capacity Building
3. Programmatic Support
4. Readiness and enabling activities

Important Projects of the ISA:

1. One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): The OSOWOG initiative focuses on establishing a framework for global cooperation and creating a network of interconnected renewable energy resources, primarily solar energy, that can be shared seamlessly
2. ISA Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (ISTAR C): This project aims to develop a network of centers for technical training, entrepreneurship, research, and innovation.
3. Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme: Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme, the Indian government supports the ISA by providing training to master trainers in the field of solar energy.
4. A significant focus area for the ISA, led by India and France, is the expansion of solar installations in Africa. To support this objective, the organization has established the Global Solar Facility, aimed at boosting solar investment in the region and subsequently expanding to West Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
5. As of 2022, global solar photovoltaic installations reached 1,133 gigawatts (GW), with 191 GW added in that year. Approximately one-fourth, or around 350 GW, is situated in China, which is not an ISA member. The United States, an ISA member country, follows with 111 GW, and India ranks among the top five countries globally with 62 GW.

Conclusion:

Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy R.K. Singh emphasized the critical role the ISA plays in the transition to renewable and solar energy. India’s substantial experience in this field positions it to be a pivotal contributor. Singh highlighted that among various renewable energy sources, solar energy has a distinct advantage due to its reliability, dependability, and availability for more extended periods throughout the year, making it a solution for universal energy access.

-Source: The Hindu