ISA Hosts 13 African Countries to Share Best Solar Practices In Delhi

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), in collaboration with Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid-India) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), is hosting delegates from the West African Region in New Delhi from 14th to 18th February. About 60 participants from thirteen WAPP countries that include Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo are participating in a knowledge sharing and study tour highlighting aspects of solar energy implementation.

MNRE Minister RK Singh who is also the President of ISA Assembly, said, “The global challenge is to enable energy access for 800 million people and thereby give them a better standard of living. Energy access, therefore, is of primary importance. We have prioritised universal access in India by adding generation capacity. We have connected the whole country on one grid. We have also been successful in energy transition. Renewable energy’s advantage is that it is cheaper and can be distributed for off the grid areas. In developing countries, renewables plus storage is the route to take.”

The programme participants include officials from ministries, statutory, regulatory bodies, and utility companies from participating African nations. The tour highlights include classroom sessions and interactions in New Delhi and Bengaluru, visits to Pavagada Solar Park, Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre, and Southern Regional Renewable Energy Management Centre.

The programme agenda will help participants with insights into global and Indian solar energy scenarios, policies, guidelines, and regulations overview for renewable energy in India from a solar energy perspective. The MNRE Ministry held that the study tour will be conducted in three batches over February and March 2023.

Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA, highlighted the need to encourage capacity building and disseminating of best practices to increase solar deployment globally. He said, “Theoretical learning combined with practical knowledge through personal experience leads to a deeper understanding, and ISA has provided tailored capacity-building support adapted to the local context.” He added that the new programme will set standards and help strengthen the solar ecosystems in all ISA Member Countries. It will also trigger policy change and help in the creation of financial and human capacity.

The Knowledge Sharing session of ISA also witnessed the presence of missions from WAPP countries.

SR Narasimhan, CMD, Grid India, said that this knowledge exchange and study tour is the first step towards creating a long-lasting partnership and collaboration between WAPP and India.

Mamadou Alpha SYLLA of WAPP mentioned that Africa will account for one-fourth of the world population by 2040 and there is need to promote integrated economic development and provide energy for all. “With this ISA-led knowledge-sharing opportunity, we also intend to pick up the essentials of regulatory functions in securing a secure electricity market,” he added.

The International Solar Alliance was founded in 2015. It was established by India and in headquartered in the country.