Sixth Assembly of International Solar Alliance

• 04 Nov 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was convened at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

What are the Major Highlights of the Assembly?

• The Assembly discussed the ISA’s broader strategy, emphasizing the need to focus on energy access before transitioning to renewable sources, echoing the organization’s philosophy of "access first and then transition."
• The assembly announced an increase in Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for projects, raising it from 10% to a range of 10% to 35% to foster greater investments, particularly in African countries.
• Four projects supported by the ISA were inaugurated during the assembly. These initiatives spanned across different countries:
  • Solarization of the Malawi Parliament
  • Solarization of rural healthcare centers in Fiji
  • Installation of a solar-powered cold storage in Seychelles
  • Solarization of a school in Kiribati
• India reaffirmed the commitment to make solar energy the primary energy source and emphasized that renewable energy could potentially supply 65% of the world's total electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90% of the power sector by 2050.

Note

Around 80% of the global population reside in countries that depend on fossil fuel imports. 

What is the International Solar Alliance?

• The International Solar Alliance is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries.
• Initially conceived as a joint effort by India and France, ISA was conceptualized during the 21^st Conference of Parties (COP21) in 2015.
  • With its framework Agreement amended in 2020, all UN member states are eligible to join ISA.
  • Currently, 116 countries are signatories, with 94 having completed the necessary ratification to become full members.
• The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to mobilize USD 1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
  • This would help mitigate global solar emissions to the tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ every year.
• The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of ISA, in which each Member Country is represented.
  • This body makes decisions concerning the implementation of the ISA’s Framework Agreement and coordinated actions to be taken to achieve its objective.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)