INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE

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TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Spain has officially become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a significant milestone in the global effort to promote solar energy.

EXPLANATION:

The International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.
• It was presented by the leaders of the two countries at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
• Headquarters: India
• The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of the ISA. It meets annually at the Ministerial level at the seat of the ISA.
• Signatory Countries: 119 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement.
• Member Countries: 98 countries have signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement.
• The primary objectives of the ISA include:
• Mobilizing $1 trillion in investments for solar energy by 2030.
• Reducing the cost of solar power and technologies.
• Facilitating the deployment of solar energy solutions in member countries.
• Promoting collaborative research and development in solar technologies.
• Providing a common platform for cooperation among solar-rich countries.
• The ISA is a collaborative platform aimed at increasing the deployment of solar energy technologies across its member countries.
• The alliance focuses on bringing energy access to underserved regions, ensuring energy security, and driving the global energy transition towards sustainable and renewable sources.

Significance of Spain’s Membership

• Spain’s accession as the 99th member of the ISA underscores the growing global commitment to renewable energy and climate action.
• As a country with significant expertise and infrastructure in solar energy, Spain’s participation is expected to contribute to the ISA’s goals in several ways:
• Expertise and Innovation: Spain’s advanced solar technology and innovation can enhance the ISA’s research and development initiatives.
• Investment and Development: Spain’s involvement can attract more investments into solar projects, particularly in developing countries.
• Policy and Governance: Spain can share its experience in policy-making and regulatory frameworks that support renewable energy growth.

Impact on Global Solar Energy Deployment

• The inclusion of Spain in the ISA is a strategic step towards achieving the alliance’s ambitious targets.
• It reflects a broader trend of international cooperation in the face of climate change and energy challenges.
• Key impacts include:
• Enhanced Collaboration: Spain’s membership will likely foster greater collaboration among ISA members, facilitating the exchange of best practices and technologies.
• Increased Investment: The entry of a significant European player into the ISA could spur increased investment in solar energy projects worldwide.
• Energy Access: Spain’s participation will support the ISA’s mission to provide energy access to remote and underserved regions, particularly in developing countries.

Strategic Importance of the ISA

• The ISA’s strategic importance lies in its potential to transform the global energy landscape. By focusing on solar energy, the alliance aims to:
• Mitigate climate change by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Enhance energy security by diversifying energy sources.
• Promote sustainable development by providing clean energy solutions.
• Foster international cooperation and collective action on renewable energy deployment.

Initiatives of ISA:

• One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG):
  • The OSOWOG focuses on a framework for facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly shared.
  • The vision behind the OSOWOG is ‘The Sun Never Sets’ and is a constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time.
• ISA Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (ISTAR C):
  • STAR C is a stellar example of ISA’s capacity-building and institutional strengthening initiative in developing Member Countries.
  • A priority strongly recognised in ISA’s Theory of Change.
  • STAR C initiative aims to cultivate the desired human capacity and skills among a Member Country’s populace to encourage the significant undertaking of energy transition activities, creating jobs and ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth.
• What is a STAR Centre?
  • STAR Centres act as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise on solar energy and are a go-to place for a Member Country at the regional or country levels.
  • STAR Centre initiative caters to a Member Country’s capacity-building needs in one or a combination of ways:
    • Building capable solar workforces
    • Sensitising policymakers and financial institutions
    • Incubating enterprises, standardising products and services
    • Creating a knowledge repository on information related to solar energy
    • Acting as an interface between countries sharing solar energy development experiences, undertaking joint research, promoting development & demonstration, capacity building, and creating regional & global networks

SOURCE: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/spain-becomes-99th-member-of-international-solar-alliance/