One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG):
India and the UK are likely to announce a joint declaration on “one sun, one world, one grid” — or OSOWOG at the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP26).
- The UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, is scheduled to be held between 31st October and 12th November in Scotland.
- The concept of OSOWOG is what the British have called a green grid.
- The idea behind the concept is a trans-national electricity grid supplying solar power across the globe.
OSOWOG or the Green Grid:
- 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.
- This is by far one of the most ambitious schemes undertaken by any country (India) and is of global significance in terms of sharing economic benefits.
- It has been taken up under the technical assistance program of the World Bank.
- The OSOWOG plan may also leverage the International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India that has 80 countries as members.
- With India in the middle, the solar spectrum can easily be divided into two broad zones, which are:
- Far East including countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia etc.
- Far West covering the Middle East and the Africa Region.
- Three Phases of the Plan:
- First Phase: It will entail interconnectivity within the Asian continent.
- Second Phase: It will add Africa.
- Third Phase: It is about global interconnection.
Significance of the Project:
- Help all the participating entities in attracting investments in renewable energy sources as well as utilizing skills, technology and finances.
- Lead to reduced project costs, higher efficiencies and increased asset utilization for all the participating entities.
- Resulting economic benefits would positively impact poverty alleviation and support in mitigating water, sanitation, food and other socio-economic challenges.
- Allow national renewable energy management centres in India to grow as regional and global management centres.
- This move, during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, gives India the opportunity to be seen as taking a lead in evolving global strategies.
