On October 2, 2018, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the First Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA), 2nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Energy Ministerial Meet, 2nd Global RE-Invest Meet & Expo, hosted by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in the presence ofSecretary General, United Nations Mr Antonio Guterres in New Delhi.
Welcome Address by EAM at the the First General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, Second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and the Second Global REINVEST
On October 2, 2018, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj welcomed the leaders from across the globe who came to participate in the following meetings:
The First General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance,
The Second Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and
The Second Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo (REINVEST- 2018).
All the 3 meetings were hosted by: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy .
i.The ISA came onto being after being launched in 2015 to implement the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid deployment of solar energy.
ii.68 countries have already signed the Framework Agreement of the ISA, while 45 of these have ratified it.
iii.Since the Indian Ocean is at the centre of the emerging age of Asia, the IORA helps in rebuilding the region by involving in activities including Blue economy, renewable energy, maritime safety and security, besides the development of regional HADR capacity to tackle mutual interest.
iv.These 3 high level meetings are aimed at implementing the Delhi Solar Agenda and meeting ‘New India’s desire to achieve 175GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022,including 60GW from Wind power and 100GW from solar power.
First ISA Assembly
On October 2, 2018, the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, inaugurated the first 3-dayAssembly of the International Solar Alliance at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
It was co-chaired by French Minister Brune Poirson.
From 3rd to 5th October 2018, it took place in India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, UP for 3 days.
i.The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, was present on the occasion.
ii.PM Modi announced the plan to launch a National Energy Storage Mission that will look at manufacturing, deployment, technology development and policy framework.
iii.A short film on the ‘Journey of Renewable Energy in India” and film on Student Initiative on Solar Lamp was screened.
iv.100 students from various schools lit the Solar Study Lamp.
v.UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres announced to convene a Climate Summit inDecember 2019 to bring climate action to the top of international agenda.
vi.ISA’s 5th program on Scaling-up Solar E-Mobility and Storage was also launched. It aims topromote, assess potential, harmonize demand and pool resources to implement and upgrade solar e-mobility and associated Storage infrastructure in urban and rural areas of ISA member countries
vii.Coal India Limited (CIL), Power Finance Corporation (PFC) contributed US $ 1 million andIndia Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) contributed US $ 2 million to the Corpus Fund ofISA.
Other News:
i.India is working on biomass, biofuel and bio-energy besides solar energy.
ii.It has a target to generate 40 percent of India’s total energy requirements in 2030.
iii.Of the 1 billion euros of investments to be made by 2022 in ISA as announced by President Emmanuel Macron, 800 million euros have already been committed.
iv.The Government of India has committed Rs.175 crore for setting up of ISA and till date released a sum of Rs 145 crore .
Background:
International Solar Alliance could replace OPEC as the key global energy supplier in the future.
About ISA:
International Solar Alliance (ISA), an alliance of 121 solar resource rich countries that was jointly launched by the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the then President of France, Mr. François Hollande, on November 30, 2015 in Paris, France. It was launched during the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Till date, out of 121 prospective member countries, 70 countries have signed the Framework Agreement of the ISA. 44 of these countries have ratified the ISA treaty.
Paris Agreement: Target of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and striving for 1.5 degrees.
2nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting:
On October 2, 2018, the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, inaugurated the 2nd 3-day IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, in presence of UN Secretary-General.
It took place in India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, UP, from 3rd to 5th October 2018 along side the 2nd edition of RE-Invest 2018.
This event was jointly organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) andMinistry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA.
i.21 countries adopted the Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy.
ii.The Delhi Declaration calls for:
Collaboration among IORA member for renewable energy in the Indian Ocean region,
Promote regional capacity building,
Promotion of technology development and transfer,
Strengthening of public private partnerships in renewable energy,
Collaboration among the IORA and ISA nations,
ii.IORA member countries also resolved to collaborate with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
iii.2 MOUs were signed – one with IORA and the other with United Nations Environment.
3-day 2nd Global RE-Invest Meet & Expo
On October 2, 2018, the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, inaugurated the 3-day 2nd Global RE-Invest Meet & Expo at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, in presence of UN Secretary-General.
The 2nd edition took place in India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, UP, from 3rd to 5th October 2018.
i.It was attended by Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Uttar Pradesh showcasing their renewable energy policy initiatives.
ii.9 country sessions were organised by leading RE countries such as France, USA, European Union, Australia, UK, Finland.
iii.Also, Chief Executive Officer, Soft Bank Group, Mr Masayoshi Son, addressed the plenary session of the 2nd Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo, (REINVEST- 2018) called ‘#RENNOVATE’.
iv.He announced free power from solar power projects after 25 years of PPA to all ISA member countries.
Other News:
India was invited to take part in the Peru World and Sun Expo in November 2019 by theEnergy Minister, Peru Mr. Francisco Ismodes Mezzano.
About 2nd Global RE-Invest India-ISA Partnership Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo:
RE-Invest is a global platform to explore strategies for development and deployment of renewables.
This platform aims to bring forth the policies and targets of India regarding the renewable energy market including 100% foreign direct investment in renewable energy development.
The 1st REINVEST was held from 15 – 17 February 2015 in New Delhi, India.
Peru:
Capital: Lima.
Currency: Sol.