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International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Context:
Nepal has officially become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member.
About ISA
Headquartered in Gurugram (Haryana), India, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a coalition of over 120 countries, primarily those rich in solar resources, aimed at promoting solar energy and addressing the energy needs of its member countries.
Overview:
- Formation: The ISA was launched on November 30, 2015, during the UNFCCC COP21 in Paris, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President François Hollande.
- It was established to facilitate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Objective:
- The primary goal of the ISA is to promote the efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- It aims to mobilise investments in solar energy solutions and enhance energy access for populations in member countries.
Membership:
- The ISA includes countries that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, known as “sunshine countries.”
- However, countries outside these latitudes can also join without voting rights.
- At present, 120 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 100 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA.
Mission and Vision:
- Develop and deploy cost-effective, transformational energy solutions powered by the sun.
- Support low-carbon growth trajectories, especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Key Initiatives:
- Towards 1000: This strategy aims to mobilise $1 trillion in investments for solar energy solutions by 2030, providing energy access to 1 billion people and installing 1,000 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy capacity.
- World Solar Bank: Announced during the COP26 conference, this initiative aims to finance solar projects across member countries, particularly in developing nations.
- SolarX Challenge: Launched to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the solar sector, encouraging startups to develop solar technologies.
- One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative: Proposed by India in 2018, it seeks to connect energy supply across borders and envisions linking regional grids into a common global grid to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy, particularly solar power, and maximise the potential of renewable energy sources.
- Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme: The Government of India supports the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by training master trainers in solar energy through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme.
- This training program lasts 21 days, with all expenses covered by the Indian government. In 2018-2019, 133 participants from 25 countries received training at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram under the ITEC programme.
- The ISA has been active in launching various reports and initiatives, including the ‘Ease of Doing Solar Report’ and the establishment of STAR Centres to promote solar energy deployment in member countries.
