One sun, one world, one grid
Empowering sustainability
IN October 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) for the first time at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
During COP26 in November 2021, the Green Grids Initiative (GGI) was launched by the United Kingdom (UK) as a key enabler of net zero in India’s and the UK’s shared vision of 2030. The two countries aim to establish a collaborative framework for global cooperation in maximising the utilisation of renewable resources, ensuring that clean and efficient energy becomes a dependable alternative for meeting the energy needs of all nations by 2030. The vision behind the OSOWOG initiative is the mantra that ‘the sun never sets’. The idea is to harness solar energy from different parts of the world, where the sun is shining at any given moment, and efficiently transmit that power to areas where it is needed.
By creating a connected global grid, regions that experience daylight can contribute excess solar power to other regions that may be in darkness, balancing energy production and consumption on a global scale.
Making an Impact through Global Interconnections The OSOWOG initiative is to be carried out in three phases;
❍ In the first phase, the Indian grid would be connected to the grids of the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia to develop a common grid. This grid would then be used to share solar energy as needed, in addition to other renewable energy sources;
❍ The second phase would connect the functional first phase to the pool of renewable resources in Africa; and
❍ The third phase would look at achieving true global interconnection with the aim of 2,600 GW of interconnection by 2050. The goal is to integrate as many countries as possible to create a single power grid of renewable energy.
India’s role at OSOWOG
India’s goal to achieve 500 GW non-fossil-based electricity generation capacities by 2030 aligns with its efforts to be Net Zero by 2070. The nation has been transformed from powerdeficient to power-sufficient. In 2023-24, out of total generation capacity of 9943 MW added, 8,269 are from non-fossil fuel sources. As per Renewable Energy Statistics 2023 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India has the 4th largest installed capacity of renewable energy.
The move towards One Sun, One World, and One Grid signifies a pivotal future for renewable energy systems. This project plays a crucial role in fostering international collaboration, enabling the balanced and shared use of renewable energy sources globally.
Successfully completing this project not only reinforces India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) but also provides substantial support to the Indian economy. The broader impact includes promoting global sustainability and enhancing societal resilience against climate change.