One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) of India

It is a trans-national electricity grid supplying solar power project

• Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day address mentioned the mega plan
  of “One Sun One World One Grid” project
• It is a trans-national electricity grid supplying solar power project and idea of
  the project was first introduced in 2018 during the International Solar Alliance
• The plan focuses on framework to facilitate global cooperation, building global
  ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources

Salient highlights of One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)

• The ambitious OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid
  that will be used to transfer solar power
• “The vision behind the OSOWOG mantra is „The Sun Never Sets‟ and is a
  constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time
• With India at the fulcrum, the solar spectrum can easily be divided into two
  broad zones
• Far East, which would include countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao,
  Cambodia etc, and far West, which would cover the Middle East and the Africa
  Region

Need of OSOWOG

• Several countries, including China, have initiated infrastructure projects in
  other countries, a step seen as a sign of asserting supremacy
• While India is a partner nation is most trade associations, with ISA and
  OSOWOG it is planning to take a leadership position
• India has plans to set up World Solar Bank with a capital of 10 billion USD.
  With the US withdrawal from Paris Climate deal, the project will help to mitigate
  ill effects on climate. It will help to fulfill Nationally Determined Contributions of
  different countries
• China has taken lead role initiating infrastructure projects in other countries.
  India with International Solar Alliance is to take lead roles

Three phases of the plan

• The first phase of the plan fosters cross border energy trade under India‟s
  Neighbourhood first policy. India is already supplying power to SAARC
  countries except Pakistan. The first plan of the project involves under-sea link
  that connects with Oman in the west.
• The second phase of the project deals with Middle East, South Asia and South
  East Asia that are inter connected with African power pools.
• The third phase includes global interconnection

Feasibility of OSOWOG

• Geo-politically, this is being touted as a clever strategy. However, technologywise, it is yet to make sense
• With battery and storage technology becoming cheaper, electricity consumption
  at source end is a more feasible idea for solar power
• However, shortage of land bank and limited hours of sunshine tip the balance
  in favor of expanding the sourcing of solar energy to other nations. Chinese
  companies are already active in several African markets
• While India has taken baby steps with the ISA, a major investment drive is still
  missing. This is planned to be achieved through OSOWOG

India and China comparison

• China has already launched a global transmission grid project under the aegis
  of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation
  Organization, dedicated to promote the sustainable development of energy
  worldwide
• China also has expertise in ultra high voltage network construction
• In the backdrop of all the above conditions, it is important for India to re-look
  its targets and to focus on developing long-term and complete solutions
  that can reach the masses
• The Solar Power Generation in India was at 35 GW in July 2020. India has set a
  target of generating 100 GW of solar power by 2022

Pic courtesy : affairscloud.com