ISA, MNRE, and World Bank Get Onboard to Bolster Global Cooperation for Solar Energy

The trio signed an MoU for the implementation of the One Sun One World One Grid program

September 15, 2020

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The International Solar Alliance (ISA), the World Bank, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ initiative.

The MoU was signed during the recently held World Solar Technology Summit. The partnership between the trio is expected the bolster the creation of a multi-sectoral global collaboration to build an interconnected renewable energy resource ecosystem.

India proposed One Sun One World One Grid initiative to set up a framework to facilitate global cooperation and build an ecosystem of easily sharable and interconnected renewable energy resources.

The initiatives imply the coming together of the entire globe to harness solar power 24*7, and not limiting the duration of exploitation of solar power to daytime.

With India at the center, the solar spectrum is divided into two broad zones, namely, far east, which would include countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, and Cambodia. The far west would cover the Middle East and the African region. Through this initiative, India plans to build a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources that can be seamlessly shared for mutual benefits and global sustainability.

The initiative will be realized in three phases: the first phase would interconnect the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia; the second phase would interconnect solar and other renewable energy resource-rich regions; the third phase would focus on the global interconnection of the power transmission grid.

The ISA will act as the nodal agency for all activities, including implementation of the study for developing a long-term vision, the institutional framework for implementing the initiative, bid process management, among others.

The MNRE, through its steering committee for the Sustainable Partnership for Rooftop Solar Acceleration in Bharat (SUPRABHA) Program, will approve consultants who will make the first detailed project report required for examination of feasibility and implementation of the project.

SUPRABHA is a technical assistance program of the World Bank and is funded through the State Bank of India.

Mercom had earlier reported that the MNRE had issued a request for proposals for developing a long-term vision, implementation plan, road map, and institutional framework for its One Sun One World One Grid program.

Image Credit: ISA Twitter

Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. More articles from Rahul Nair.

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