The upcoming Conference of Parties (COP26), scheduled between 31st October and 12th November in Scotland, is likely to witness India and the UK announcing a joint declaration on “one sun, one world, one grid” (OSOWOG). The UK refers to this as the “green grid”. This cutting-edge concept aims at creating a trans-national electricity grid for supplying solar power across the globe.
Understanding OSOWOG or the Green Grid
At the heart of the OSOWOG concept lies the idea that ‘The Sun Never Sets’. Given that the sun is always shining somewhere on the globe, this plan, championed by India, intends to maintain a continuous supply of solar power. It’s a part of the technical assistance program of the World Bank, making it a globally significant project with potential economic benefits.
The OSOWOG plan may be boosted by the presence of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India, with 80 countries as its members. The solar spectrum has been divided into two broad zones: the Far East (including countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia etc.) and the Far West (covering the Middle East and Africa region).
The Three-Phase Plan
The plan involves a phased rollout. In the first phase, interconnectivity within the Asian continent will be established. The second phase extends the network to Africa. Finally, the third phase entails achieving global interconnection.
Significance of the Project
This ambitious project aims to attract investments in renewable energy sources, utilize skills and technology, and secure financial support. It promises reduced project costs, increased efficiency, and higher asset utilization for all participating countries. The economic benefits derived could positively impact poverty alleviation and contribute towards resolving socio-economic challenges. Besides, it would also allow India’s national renewable energy management centres to evolve into regional and global management centres.
Challenges of the Project
Despite its immense potential, the OSOWOG project faces several challenges. In the current Covid-19 scenario, the geopolitical implications of the project are challenging to understand. It also opens up debates about cost-sharing mechanisms given the different priorities of participating countries. Critics argue that the project will be expensive, complex, and slow to progress. Moreover, they contend that any geopolitical disputes could undermine the strategic benefits of a single grid.
In India, renewable energy developers must navigate through various state laws and regulations, which could complicate the project. There is also a contradiction with Prime Minister’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-dependent India) vision as the grid extends the reliance for energy supply to other countries.
Technical Difficulties and Solutions
The project also faces technical challenges due to differences in voltage, frequency, and specifications of the grid across regions. Maintaining grid stability with only renewable generation would be technically difficult. However, the key to future renewable-based energy systems globally is regional and international interconnected green grids that can share and balance renewable energy across international borders. This allows us to quickly learn from global developments, share renewable energy resources, reduce the global carbon footprint, and insulate societies from pandemics.
Institution building is essential to fulfil the ambitions of a multi-country grid project. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) could act as an independent supranational institution to handle grid operation decisions and resolve disputes.