Mauritius Signs ISA’s Country Partnership Framework | Haryana | 16 Apr 2025
Why in News?
The Republic of Mauritius and the intergovernmental organisation International Solar Alliance (ISA) signed a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen solar cooperation and accelerate the clean energy transition.
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- About:
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies.
- Its basic motive is to facilitate energy access, ensure energy security, and drive energy transition in its member countries.
- The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
- Vision:
- Let us together make the sun brighter.
- Mission:
- Every home, no matter how far away, will have a light at home.
- Headquarters:
- The Headquarters is in India with its Interim Secretariat being set up in Gurugram.
Key Points
- The Country Partnership Framework (CPF):
- The CPF outlines a structured, strategic approach for collaboration on solar projects and policy support.
- Mauritius is the first African country and the fourth globally (after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba) to sign this framework.
- The CPF is valid for three years, with a provision for renewal based on mutual agreement.
- Country Partnership Strategy (CPS):
- Following the CPF, ISA and Mauritius will co-develop a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) aligned with Mauritius's national energy goals.
- The CPS will be country-driven and needs-based, focusing on enabling conditions for solar deployment.
- Key Focus:
- Strategic Planning & Regulation:
- Formulation or revision of solar energy roadmaps.
- Development of regulatory frameworks to facilitate solar applications.
- Technology & Capacity Building:
- Deployment of Solar Applications:
- Promotion of solar rooftops, floating solar, agrivoltaics, and solar water pumping.
- Support for solar-driven green hydrogen initiatives.
- Exploration of solar ferries and other innovations tailored to island ecosystems.
- ISA’s Ongoing Role in Mauritius:
- Mauritius, a founding member of ISA, has actively partnered in ISA-led initiatives.
- Notable among them is the solarisation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, implemented under the ISA CARES Initiative, which aims to solarise healthcare facilities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- The hospital, originally established in 1984 with Indian support, was solarised in June 2024.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS) refer to a group of small island nations and territories that face shared challenges in sustainable development, alongside significant social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities.
- Some of SIDS include the Maldives, Seychelles, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Guyana, and Singapore.
- SIDS are primarily located in three major geographical regions: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean & South China Sea (AIS) regions.
- At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development 1992, SIDS were formally recognized as a special case due to their unique environmental and developmental challenges.
Development Projects Inaugurated in Haryana | Haryana | 16 Apr 2025
Why in News?
The Prime Minister of India launched development and infrastructure projects worth Rs 10,000 crore in Haryana.
Key Points
- Major Infrastructure and Energy Projects:
- Thermal Power Expansion in Yamunanagar:
- The PM laid the foundation stone for the third 800 MW unit of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar, worth Rs 8,469 crore.
- The unit will be built on 233 acres, with commercial operations expected by March 2029.
- Once operational, Haryana’s in-house power generation capacity will rise to 3,382 MW.
- GOBARdhan Plant for Waste-to-Energy in Yamunanagar:
- The PM also laid the foundation for a Rs 90 crore GOBARdhan plant in Mukarampur, Yamunanagar.
- It is a collaboration between the Municipal Corporation Yamunanagar-Jagadhri and BPCL.
- Scheduled for completion by May 2027, the plant will process:
- 45,000 metric tonnes of solid waste,
- 36,000 metric tonnes of cattle dung annually.
- It will produce:
- Rewari Bypass Inaugurated to Ease Traffic:
- He also inaugurated the Rewari Bypass, built under the Bharatmala scheme in Hybrid Annuity Mode, at a cost of Rs 1,069 crore.
- The 14.4 km, four-lane bypass connects NH-352 to NH-11, improving access to Narnaul and bypassing Rewari city.
- New Airport Terminal for Hisar:
- He laid the foundation stone for the new terminal building of Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar, worth over Rs 410 crore.
- The PM announced upcoming flights connecting Haryana to Ayodhya Dham.
Compressed Biogas (CBG)
- CBG is a renewable energy source produced from organic waste, including agricultural residues, cattle dung, municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge.
- It helps in replacing fossil fuels, managing agricultural and animal waste, and reducing open burning.
GOBARdhan Scheme
- The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative focuses on converting waste into wealth to promote a circular economy.
- It aims to establish a strong ecosystem for Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG)/Bio-CNG plants to foster sustainable growth.
- The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, serves as the nodal department.
Bharatmala Project
- It was started in 2015 by the Union government. It is an umbrella project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Under the plan the government intends to develop 83,677 km of highways and roads at an investment of around Rs 7 lakh crore.
- In the first phase, the plan is to construct 34,800 km of highways at a cost of Rs 5.35 lakh crore.
- It focuses on the new initiatives like development of Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal & port connectivity roads, improving efficiency of National Corridors, Economic corridors and others.