Solar: the route to a clean and green future

The first transnational network of solar power grids known as the Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) was launched at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, last month.

Spearheaded by the governments of India and the UK, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India Presidency of the ISA, and the UK COP Presidency unveiled plans for the programme seeking to connect 140 countries to round-the-clock green and renewable power.

The announcement was accompanied by the One Sun declaration endorsed by 80 ISA member countries, which stated: “Realising the vision of One Sun One World One Grid through interconnected green grids can be transformational, enabling all of us to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement to prevent dangerous climate change, to accelerate the clean energy transition, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts can stimulate green investments and create millions of good jobs. By sharing the sun's energy, we can help to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.”

The project will be implemented by ISA, in partnership with the World Bank Group, and aims to harness solar energy wherever the sun is shining, ensuring that generated electricity flows to areas that need it most.

The GGI-OSOWOG will bring together a global coalition of national governments, international financial and technical organisations, legislators, power system operators and knowledge leaders to accelerate the construction of the new infrastructure needed for a world powered by clean energy.

In doing so, the project aims to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy such as coal by enabling them to purchase affordable solar power from other countries.

As the chief agency leading and delivering the project, ISA aims to help mobilise $1 trillion of funding by 2030 to assist developing countries in expanding their solar power grids to meet their energy access, energy security and energy transition needs.

The initiative is widely seen as a big and bold move ahead on the ISA's solar transition roadmap and will go some way towards realising its vision for a solar energy future.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said: “One Sun, One World & One Grid will not only reduce storage needs but also enhance the viability of solar projects. This creative initiative will not only reduce carbon footprints and energy cost but also open a new avenue for cooperation between different countries and regions.

“The One Sun One World One Grid and Green Grids Initiative is an idea whose time has come. If the world has to move to a clean and green future, these interconnected transnational grids are going to be critical solutions. I congratulate the International Solar Alliance and the UK COP Presidency for bringing it nearer to implementation.”