Ministers from 20 Countries Convene in New Delhi to Promote Renewable Energy
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) held its Sixth Assembly in New Delhi, presided over by Shri Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy of the Government of India. This significant event witnessed the participation of ministers from 20 countries and delegates from 116 Member and Signatory countries.
Shri Raj Kumar Singh emphasized the pivotal role of renewable energy in addressing global energy challenges. He pointed out that around 80 percent of the world’s population depends on fossil fuel imports, and renewable energy has the potential to supply 65 percent of the world’s electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050. The ISA is committed to making solar energy the preferred choice and encouraging investment through its Viability Gap Funding mechanism, which provides grants to countries for solar projects.
H.E. Ms Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France’s Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, highlighted France’s active involvement in the ISA to combat climate disruptions. Through the French Development Agency (AFD), France has financed over 1.5 billion euros worth of solar projects since 2016, making concrete contributions to clean energy development.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of ISA, stressed the urgency of accelerating solar energy adoption, particularly in developing countries. ISA is actively facilitating over 9.5 GW of solar applications in 55 developing countries and providing training to support solar energy. The organization is working on establishing STAR Centres to promote solar energy knowledge and expertise.
The ISA has initiated Demonstration Projects in LDCs and SIDS to showcase scalable solar technology applications and enhance the capacity of member countries. Shri RK Singh inaugurated four such projects, including solarization of the parliament building in Malawi, solarized rural health care centers in Fiji, a solar-powered cold storage facility in Seychelles, and solarization of a junior secondary school in Kiribati.
Shri Singh expressed his pride in dedicating these projects to the beneficiary countries and commended their efforts in advancing the cause of energy transition through solar. He emphasized the importance of learning from each other’s successes and challenges.
The ISA Assembly, as the apex decision-making body, plays a crucial role in implementing the ISA’s Framework Agreement and coordinated actions. It evaluates the impact of programs related to solar energy deployment, performance, reliability, cost, and scale of finance. The Sixth Assembly focuses on critical issues of energy access, energy security, and energy transition.
The International Solar Alliance’s Sixth Assembly signifies a global commitment to renewable energy, combating climate change, and fostering international cooperation in solar technology and knowledge sharing. The world’s transition to sustainable energy sources takes a significant step forward through initiatives like these.