ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID (OSOWOG)

India initiates a good move on the OSOWOG program led by the current NDA government, which will benefit India upon China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR).

India calling a bid to roll out “ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID (OSOWOG) plan”. This initiative is carried by Ministry of New & Renewable energy (MNRE) and calling a pre-bid meeting on 5^th of June 20. MNRE has invited proposal from an eligible consulting firm for

1. Developing a long-term vision
2. Implementing plan
3. Road Map
4. Institutional framework

Under this Covid-19 pandemic, this move will benefit India and take advantage of US withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.

This plan will work out in 3 phases.

Phase-I (MESASEA): They will connect west Asia (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakistan), South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh & Sri-Lanka) & Southern west Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) into one grid project. Probably they will do the transmission done through the sea route channel from Oman to India as Pakistan will interrupt and raise issues against it on the influence of China.

Phase-II: Phase-I will be connected to Africa continent. MESASEA grid getting interconnected with the African power pools to share solar and other renewable energy power of the countries located in solar and renewable energy-rich areas. Sahara Dessert will play a vital role in it as we can produce more energy by putting solar in the desert area.

Phase-III: Global interconnection to achieve the OSOWOG vision.

International Solar Alliance: This is the biggest alliance after the United Nations as a total of 153 countries recognize it. Among them, 67 countries signed and ratified it and 86 countries signed it.  Its headquarters (National Institute of Solar Energy) is in Gurugram, India.  The primary objective of the alliance is to work for the efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Apart from that, it initiates this move

India also looking to set up a World Solar Bank (WSB) to be headquartered in India, which may require total equity capital of $10 Billion.

Benefits:

An interconnected gird would help all the participating entities in attracting investment in renewable energy sources as well as utilizing skills, technology & finances, resulting in economic benefits.

Developments come with all advantages and positively impact poverty alleviation and support in further mitigation water, sanitization, food, and other socioeconomic challenges.