New Delhi is all set to host the sixth assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) from October 30 to November 2, 2023. The prestigious event will be chaired by Shri R.K. Singh, the President of the ISA Assembly and India’s Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy. The assembly will bring together ministers, missions, and delegates from 116 member and signatory countries of the ISA, as well as representatives from prospective nations, partner organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The ISA, jointly launched by India and France following COP21 in Paris, plays a vital role in advancing global efforts to transition to clean and sustainable solar energy.
This crucial assembly will deliberate on ISA initiatives aimed at improving energy access, security, and transitions. The main areas of focus include:
Universalization of Energy Access via Solar Mini-Grids: The ISA will explore strategies to provide energy access to underserved populations through solar mini-grids, promoting equitable access to clean energy.
Mobilizing Finance for Accelerated Solar Deployment: Financing renewable energy projects and accelerating solar deployment will be a top priority. The assembly will seek ways to attract investment for solar initiatives.
Diversifying Supply Chains and Manufacturing for Solar: The ISA will discuss the diversification of supply chains and the development of manufacturing capabilities to support solar energy growth.
Shri R.K. Singh, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, emphasized the pivotal role of solar energy in the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. Solar energy, according to the minister, stands out as a dependable and reliable source available for a significant portion of the year. Its adaptability in small-scale deployments makes it a promising solution for ensuring energy access, particularly in remote and off-grid areas.
He highlighted the moral responsibility of the ISA in addressing the global challenge of providing energy access to the 750 million people currently without it. Singh stressed that the ISA’s primary mission is to mobilize countries to help those deprived of energy access, contributing to a more equitable energy landscape.
The Secretary of New & Renewable Energy, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, highlighted the growth of the ISA, with the number of countries signing and ratifying the ISA Framework Agreement doubling since 2018. ISA’s objectives aim to ensure global energy transition, national energy security, and local energy access, fostering access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Additionally, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA, discussed the organization’s plans for solar stocktake, complementary to the global stocktake at COP28. ISA’s expanding role includes supporting COP Presidencies in tripling renewable energy goals and addressing the geographic concentration of solar investments, emphasizing the importance of investment in small-scale solar solutions.
The ISA Assembly promises to be a key event in the global transition to renewable energy, focusing on solar technology, market dynamics, investments, and innovative initiatives to advance sustainable energy solutions.
The ISA Assembly will also feature a High-level Conference on New Technologies for Clean Energy Transition in collaboration with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, the Asian Development Bank, and the International Solar Energy Society, focusing on climate change and solar energy deployment. ISA will also release three flagship reports providing updates on Solar Technology, Solar Market, and Solar Investments.
The event will serve as a platform for discussions, collaboration, and initiatives that will drive the clean energy transition towards a more sustainable and solar-powered future.
