The International Solar Alliance (ISA), in partnership with Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid-India) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), is hosting a knowledge-sharing and study tour in New Delhi, India from February 14 to 18. The event is being attended by 60 delegates from 13 WAPP countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The program aims to highlight solar energy implementation practices and encourage capacity building to increase solar deployment globally.
Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy & President of ISA Assembly, emphasised the importance of knowledge sharing and capacity building in the energy sector. He stressed the global challenge of enabling energy access for 800 million people and prioritising universal access by adding generation capacity, connecting the whole country on one grid, and successful energy transition. Singh also emphasised the potential of renewables plus storage to provide cheaper and off-grid solutions.
Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA, highlighted the need to disseminate best practices and encourage capacity building to increase solar deployment worldwide. Mathur emphasised ISA’s efforts to implement its existing pipeline for solar projects, share knowledge and build capacity across the solar value chain. In collaboration with Grid-India and WAPP, the program aims to set standards, strengthen solar ecosystems in all ISA member countries, trigger policy change, and create financial and human capacity.
The participants include officials from ministries, statutory, regulatory bodies, and utility companies from participating African nations. The program will include classroom sessions, interactions in New Delhi and Bengaluru, visits to Pavagada Solar Park, Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre, and Southern Regional Renewable Energy Management Centre. The study tour will be conducted in three batches over February and March 2023.