Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

UN Grants Observer Status to International Solar Alliance

December 12, 2021
International Solar Alliance

United Nations has granted Observer status to International Solar Alliance (ISA) that has the mission of making solar energy available 24×7 at an affordable cost to all. The Observer status is a privilege granted to non-members to give them the ability to participate in the organisation’s activities. The UN’s Observer status to ISA will also give impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) and help in bringing equitable energy solutions to the world, said Minister of for Power and New and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh.

In a tweet, Union Minister R. K. Singh said that the historic decision will provide a big boost to OSOWOG to bring about just and equitable energy solutions through the deployment of solar energy and help towards achieving the goal of net-zero carbon emissions through global cooperation. He reaffirmed that India is progressively contributing to this mission by having a significant share of renewable energy in the power mix.

At the climate conference COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Green Grids Initiative—One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG), the first international network of global interconnected solar power grids, jointly with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson. Both the leaders also released the One Sun declaration, which said, “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…these efforts can stimulate green investments and create millions of good jobs. The declaration has been endorsed by 80 ISA member countries.”

ISA also aims to mobilise US$1 trillion of funding by 2030 to assist developing countries in expanding their solar power grids to meet their energy needs.