ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID
- In November, 2024, India is actively engaged in discussions with several nations, including Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, and Singapore, to establish cross-border electricity transmission lines as part of the ambitious One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG)
- This project was 1st proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 during the inaugural Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
ABOUT OSOWOG
- Launch: OSOWOG was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2018 ISA Assembly. It envisions a global interconnected solar grid that shares solar energy across countries, ensuring continuous access to clean energy.
- Collaboration: In COP26 (2021), the Green Grids Initiative (GGI), launched by the UK, merged with OSOWOG into GGI-OSOWOG to promote renewable energy and ensure net-zero emissions by 2030.
Implementation Phases
- Phase 1: Connect India’s grid to neighboring regions in South Asia, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- Phase 2: Expand the grid to Africa for broader energy sharing.
- Phase 3: Achieve a global interconnected grid by 2050, integrating 2,600 GW of renewable energy.
CORE OBJECTIVES
- Global Solar Grid: Link solar power grids across continents to share energy globally, ensuring that wherever the sun is shining, energy is available.
- Maximize Renewable Energy: Shift energy production from fossil fuels to cleaner sources, balancing global energy needs with solar power.
- International Cooperation: promote collaboration to ensure equitable, sustainable energy access for all countries.
INDIA’S ROLE
- Leadership: India leads the OSOWOG initiative through ISA, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070.
- Energy Growth: India is the 4th largest renewable energy producer globally, with solar power playing a central role.
- Grid Interconnections: India has established connections with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and is negotiating with other nations like Sri Lanka, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
INDIA’S STRATEGIC SHIFT:
- Energy Demand: India will account for 25% of global energy demand growth by 2040, making solar power crucial for energy security.
- Air Pollution: Solar energy helps reduce pollution caused by fossil fuels.
- Water Crisis: Solar power is water-efficient, unlike coal-based energy that depletes water resources.
CHALLENGES
- Infrastructure: The need for large-scale grid development, energy storage systems, and battery technologies.
- Investment: OSOWOG requires $1 trillion in funding by 2030 for developing countries.
- Geopolitical Coordination: Successful implementation requires global cooperation, trade agreements, and regulatory harmonization.
KEY FACTS & FEATURES OF OSOWOG
- Purpose of OSOWOG:
- The OSOWOG initiative aims to create a global interconnected grid that allows countries to transfer renewable energy, particularly solar power, across borders.
- This grid will help countries to use renewable resources more efficiently, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and optimize energy distribution across regions.
- India-Oman Power Link:
- One of the 1st projects under OSOWOG is the interconnection of India’s power grid with Oman’s grid.
- This link will help to enhance renewable energy flow between the two countries.
- A key aspect of this initiative is the creation of a shared network that enables the efficient transfer of renewable energy across regions.
- Surplus solar or wind energy in one area can be transferred to another region experiencing an energy deficit.
- Renewable Energy Integration:
- The initiative aims to integrate solar, wind, and hydro power from different regions, which will help to balance supply and demand peaks and improve grid stability.
- By connecting renewable energy sources across borders, countries can better manage their electricity needs, especially during peak times, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
- Current and Future Electricity Exchanges:
- India currently exchanges about 4,100 MW of electricity with neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
- This capacity is expected to increase to 7,000 MW by 2026-27 as new interconnections are developed, including the Oman link.
- Maximizing Solar Energy with Time-Zone Diversity:
- The idea behind OSOWOG is to leverage time-zone diversity—since the sun is always shining somewhere on Earth, different regions can generate solar power at different times of the day.
- This allows for continuous generation of solar energy, making the system more reliable and reducing the need for large-scale storage
- Proposed Projects under OSOWOG:
- In addition to the India-Oman link, other planned interconnections include discussions with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
- A 1,000-km undersea power cable connecting Gujarat in India with Oman is also being explored.
- This would create a secure energy exchange route between the two countries.
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