The Geography of Solar Power
Co-authoring the International Solar Alliance has enabled India to reinvent its climate persona to one that is willing to be part of the solution. EPISODE #155
Dear Reader,
A very Happy Monday to you.
Last week was the eighth anniversary of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)—a global body launched jointly by India and France on the first day of the meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Paris.
Indeed this was a watershed moment for Indian climate diplomacy. It went from being part of the problem to become part of the solution. This new climate persona has made it a credible partner at the global high table for battling climate change. So this week I put the spotlight on the ISA and attendant implications.
India never looked back since. In fact, on the first day of this year’s COP summit in Dubai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for India to host COP33 in 2028. Clearly India is determined to play an active part of global decision making.
A big shoutout to Yugainder, Lakshmisha, Aashish, Gautam, Premasundaran and Vandana for your informed responses, kind appreciation and amplification of last week’s column. Once again, grateful for the conversation initiated by all you readers. Gratitude also to all those who responded on Twitter and Linkedin.
Unfortunately, Twitter has disabled amplification of Substack links—perils of social media monopolies operating in a walled garden framework. I would be grateful therefore if you could spread the word. Nothing to beat the word of mouth.
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Alliance of Sunshine States
As discussed in the introduction, last week was the eighth anniversary of the setting up of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It was launched jointly by India and France on the first day of the meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Paris—a watershed moment for India’s climate diplomacy.
Till that moment there was considerable consternation among negotiators turning up for the COP meet in Paris about India’s stance. They feared that India may continue to hold out and thereby preclude consensus at a time when the world was desperately seeking a blueprint to battle climate change.
However, the creation of ISA dispelled these fears in one stroke. As a recent must read paper—Tracks to India’s Global Climate Strategy Transition—published by the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) noted:
“Once a reluctant climate actor, India has now emerged as an indispensable player in global climate diplomacy,”
…and then went on to add:
“India’s climate persona has evolved, especially after the 2015 Paris Agreement (of COP).”
In a strange coincidence, eight years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had another surprise announcement. And again, on the first day of this year’s COP28 in Dubai. Addressing the gathering he pitched for India to host the COP33 in 2028. Indeed, if India gets what it wishes for, then it will be the second time that it will be playing host to COP.
In 2002, when India hosted COP8 the party at the helm was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Clearly, India’s climate diplomacy, which turned a corner in 2015 in Paris is determined to be part of global climate politics. Not outside looking in, unlike in the past.
The Origins
A little known and interesting fact is that the idea of an alliance of sunshine states was first mooted by PM Modi in 2012.
The CSEP study quoting PTI said that he first made out the case for a new grouping of nations with high solar power potential when he was the chief minister of Gujarat:
“There are different League of Nations like OPEC and others. A league should be formed among the nations which get more sun rays. India should play a prominent role in the formation of such a league and step up its R&D to lead those nations”
The political economy of this statement is very interesting, especially the comparison with the OPEC or the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Essentially, it will be a coalition of solar energy producers which gives them a bargaining position as an energy supplier.
Since the energy of the sun is maximum between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, the coalition is basically made up of countries that fall within this band. Coincidentally the footprint of this alliance of sunshine states is made up mostly of developing countries—or what we also know as the global South.
The idea being that a relatively low cost and renewable power like solar can be implemented in other developing countries too. The ISA could operate as a market-making mechanism to ensure flow of finance and technology—the key preconditions in scaling renewable power capacity—to these solar-rich countries which also happened to be in the global South.
An inspired India proposed in 2018 that the 140 countries of the ISA should integrate their grids: One Sun, One World, One Grid. In the first phase this would connect the Indian grid to the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia.
The recently announced Middle-East corridor connecting India to Europe through the Gulf and talks of a green grid is a reaffirmation the commitment towards this audacious idea of an international power grid.
Further, at the Glasgow summit of COP, India teamed up with the United Kingdom to announce the Green Grids initiative under the aegis of the ISA.
Implications
India’s proactiveness at the global high table has several implications.
Firstly, the announcement and subsequent rollout of the ISA has hit the reset on the international perception about India.
From being being part of the problem it has pivoted to a country that is willing to be part of the solution. This has opened up enormous negotiating space for India’s climate diplomacy.
Second, ISA provides a platform for India to scale the innovations it is undertaking in renewable power.
The large market provided by India has for instance enabled it to manage bulk procurement of LED bulbs and PV solar electricity—which in turn has led to lower costs. This principle of affordability will make it easier for the Global South to adopt green power and contribute in the battle against climate change.
Third, ISA demonstrates India’s capability of institutional entrepreneurship at the global high table. This only adds to the country’s foreign policy heft.
Fourth, it provides another platform for India to champion the voice of the global South, even while it engages the developed world.
While the gains from the ISA are apparent, India and France, have been unable to break the deadlock in raising the desired finance to fund the rollout of solar power in developing countries.
In the final analysis it is clear that the eight anniversary of the ISA is a moment of both pride and introspection. It is never easy to manoeuver through the maze of global climate politics riven with dissensions. Indeed it is off to a good start.
But a lot will depend on how the ISA raises the resources to walk its tall talk.
Recommended Viewing/Reading
Sharing the latest post of Capital Calculus on StratNews Global.
Like I explained above, last week was the eighth anniversary of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
I was lucky to snag an interview with Vyoma Jha, senior advocate with the National Resources Defense Council, a US-based non-profit. She is a scholar who has researched ISA at length and has a forthcoming book on it.
In a very insightful conversation Vyoma walked me through the implications of this pivotal moment, some of which I have reproduced in this week’s newsletter.
Broadly, she said:
It was the turning point for India's climate diplomacy;
Showcased India's ability at institutional entrepreneurship on the global stage;
Demonstrates India's new found agility in climate diplomacy.
Please do watch the entire conversation and share your thoughts. Sharing the link below.
Till we meet again next week, stay safe.
Dear Anil
In the newspaper this morning I read a news item that Kerala is increasingly opting for affordable, eco-friendly sun power. In fact, solar electricity generation in Kerala has touched 10% of the total power generation. Not only that, consumers are opting for on solar grids allowing excess electricity to be fed back into the government grid. This is a win- win situation for both the government as well as the consumers. This reminded me of how relevant your piece on India's climate diplomacy is. Even the common man is taking steps to harness solar energy. We are no longer outside, looking in. India is a country blessed with enough sunshine throughout the year to exploit the solar power potential. It's really an interesting observation that the alliance of sunshine states is made up of mostly developing countries. Seems to be Nature's way of balancing the equation that we also have something to contribute.
Very encouraging signs for the ultimate progress of renewable energy development, by harnessing the power of the sun. That India is a front runner in the field, augers well for the future of the country and the world. The importance of the non polluting source of energy has been recognized by leaders like PM Modi and already there is small scale usage of solar power, both in domestic and commercial establishments. An informatve and interesting article Anil 👏 👍