‘Summit will generate political support for solar road map’
Over this weekend, India will host the largest congregation of countries committing for the development of solar power at the International Solar Alliance Summit 2018. UPENDRA TRIPATHY, interim director general, ISA, spoke to Shreya Jai about the alliance. He said while he did not expect any direct funding or projects, the ISA would pave the way for global innovation in the solar sector. Edited excerpts:
What are the key aims of the summit?
The summit celebrates ISA's birth. It aims to bring together member countries, to mobilise more than $1000 billion by 2030. The ISA will generate a trilliondollar global solar market. The summit will generate political support for solar road maps of member countries in areas of demand aggregation, innovation, standards, quality control, research and development, and capacity building.
Is there any target or estimate on the MoU/ investment expected?
There is no such target, although under Article-III of the ISA Framework Agreement, 5 programmes of ISA will include simple, measurable, mobilizing targets for example: currently we have a target of solarizing 500,000 diesel irrigation pump sets. Similarly, ISA in consultation with member countries will develop a financial roadmap for credit mobililisation in each member country.
Has there been any line-up for it funding institution that ISA aimed to set up?
The ISA does not plan to set up any funding institution. It is not a bank. However, the ISA has entered into financial partnerships with the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which have the resolve to work in tandem with the
ISA for massive and affordable deployment of solar energy. The African Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the New Development Bank, and the Green Climate Fund are also signing joint declarations with the ISA for funding solar energy-related projects. The philosophy is to work together.
What is the expected investment from member countries/global agencies?
ISA Framework Agreement has set up a target of mobilising over $1,000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for massive deployment of solar energy, and to pave the way for future technologies adapted to the needs of ISA member countries.
Will the summit aim at setting up new agencies for facilitating projects, investments and monitoring the progress in the solar sector?
The summit does not aim at setting up new agencies for facilitating projects. The ISA plans to take several measures such as, institutionalisation of ISA fellowships, crosscountry training of solar mechanics, conducting outreach activities, launching the Solar Technology and Application Research Centre (STAR-C). The ISA has also constituted a constitution of an International Committee of Chambers of Industry and Business (ICCIB) with FICCI being the convener.