INTRODUCTION
- OSOWOG, or One Sun One World One Grid, is an Indian attempt to integrate global renewable energy networks under the slogan “The Sun Never Sets.” OSOWOG is nothing more than a single worldwide solar energy grid. PM Narendra Modi announced the plan at the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) 1st, General Assembly, in October 2018.
- Its goal is to construct and scale-up inter-regional energy systems to exchange solar energy across borders, taking advantage of differences in time zones, seasons, pricing, and resources among countries. The project will also contribute to the decarbonization of energy production, which is currently a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions.
ISA 4TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY –
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is in charge of putting India’s OSOWOG programme into action. A team led by the French state-run power company EDF and AETS (France) and The Energy and Resources Institute has been tasked with developing the roadmap for the global grid OSOWOG (TERI India). The complete report on OSOWOG is planned to be discussed at the ISA’s 4th General Assembly.
- ISA was co-founded by India at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference. The ISA has been tasked with bolstering India’s efforts to become a global climate leader. According to the ISA, India’s climate commitment credentials may improve in the run-up to the COP26 in Glasgow. India’s emissions have decreased by 28% since 2005, falling short of the objective of a 35% reduction by 2030.
- Ajay Mathur, the ISA’s Director-General, stated that the organisation is trying to mobilise USD 1 trillion in investment for significant deployment of solar energy technology and the expansion of solar markets.
IMPORTANT POINTS FROM THE ASSEMBLY –
- On October 18, the ISA Secretariat has scheduled a series of technical meetings on many ISA programmes, as well as several developing concerns in the clean and solar energy sector on October 20 and 21, 2021, according to the ISA Secretariat. On October 20, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry, will deliver a keynote presentation, and on October 20, 2021, the European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, will speak to the Assembly.
- The ISA’s General Assembly, in which each member country is represented, is the organization’s highest decision-making body. Apart from the OSOWOG, the leaders will discuss the ISA’s five-year strategic plan, which will include a Country Partnership Framework, a Strategy for Private Sector Engagement, and initiatives such as the Viability Gap Financing scheme, which will provide affordable financing for solar energy projects across all ISA members.
- The General Assembly will also discuss a collaboration with the Global Energy Alliance to increase technical and financial assistance to LDCs and small island developing states (SIDS).
