ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID
India continues to empower 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 GGI and OSOWOG initiatives were unveiled jointly by India and the UK as part of their bilateral collaboration in conjunction with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank Group (WB). These initiatives, focusing on the global transition to renewable energy, were subsequently merged into a unified effort named GGI-OSOWOG — a collective commitment to a common goal. This firstever international network of interconnected solar grids seeks to connect 140 countries to continuous solar power and has been endorsed by 80 ISA Member Countries.
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.
MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH GLOBAL INTERCONNECTIONS
The OSOWOG initiative is to be carried out in 3 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.
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 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 to 2024, out of a total generation capacity of 9,943 MW added, 8,269 MW 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.
CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD
Building consensus among 140 nations and addressing geopolitical challenges, logistical issues related to land availability, potential problems arising from weather changes, wire breakage, securing finances, and other factors makes this project extremely difficult.
Achieving energy access within a short time frame requires interventions addressing key factors, including
• Establishing policy frameworks for organized progress
• Securing long-term financing and using innovative financial instruments
• Implementing capacity building and training in access-deficit countries
• Creating an enabling environment through updated data access and quality standards for mini-grids and distributed 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.