India, UK launch first transnational solar grid plan: On OSOWOG initiative

What is the news?

India and UK have unveiled an ambitious plan for the world’s first transnational network of interconnected solar power grids—Green Grids Initiative: One Sun One World One Grid at COP26 at Glasgow.

The two Prime Ministers presented One Sun Declaration, endorsed by more than 80 countries, setting out OSOWOG’s aims.

More about OSOWOG

It includes smart grids connecting millions of solar panels and charging points for electric vehicles, and microgrids for rural communities and to ensure resilience during extreme weather events. It aims to provide countries across the world with clean energy drawn from the sun through a series of interconnected grids.

The Green Grids Initiative was first developed by the Climate Parliament, an international network of climate legislators.

Members: Australia, France, India, the US and UK are the main members of the initiative, which has the backing of 80 members of the 99 nation strong International Solar Alliance (ISA).

What are the potential benefits of OSOWOG?

– All the energy humanity uses in a year is equal to the energy that reaches the earth from the sun in a single hour. By trading energy from sun, wind and water across borders, OSOWOG can deliver more than enough clean energy to meet the needs of everyone on earth. This will lessen the need for storage and increase the viability of solar projects.

– Reduction in carbon footprint and in the cost of energy.

– Fostering of a spirit of cooperation among different countries and regions of the world,

How is the OSOWOG initiative structured?

A Ministerial Steering Group will work towards accelerating the making of large solar power stations and wind farms in the best locations, linked together by continental-scale grids crossing national borders. Members: Group shall have members from France, India, UK and USA, Africa, the Gulf, Latin America and Southeast Asia

Research support for the Green Grids Initiative is being provided by the Climate Compatible Growth consortium of universities, which includes Cambridge, Imperial College, Oxford and University College London.

The Green Climate Fund, established to channel part of the $100 billion a year pledged by rich countries in the climate negotiations, is leading a Finance working group

Source: This post is based on the following articles “India, UK launch first transnational solar grid plan” published in Livemint on 03 Nov 2021 and “One Sun, One World, One Grid for seamless energy” published in The Hindu on 03 Nov 2021.