COP26: India & UK to unveil ‘Green Grids Initiative’ for solar power

India and the U.K. are about to launch a project to develop a solar grid that would link nations in different parts of the world.

The project called ‘Green Grids Initiative’ is being announced by the International Solar Alliance. It was earlier unveiled by India and France at the 2015 Paris climate conference to promote solar energy. In May this year, the U.K. and India decided to join forces in this initiative.

Solar energy has become a cheaper option in contrast to other fossil fuel alternatives. However, countries cannot depend on solar energy at night and are forced to switch back to fossil fuels that generates earth-warming greenhouse gases. This is especially common in India, where power demand is massively increasing.

Ajay Mathur, Director-General of the International Solar Alliance, says that the new project is based on the idea that the sun always shines in some of the parts of the world, and the main objective of the project is to create a worldwide grid that will transmit power generated from the sun from one place to another.

He said that solar power might be sent to East Asia via a cable connecting India and East Asia.

Although the concept of a grid that spans regions isn't new, this would be the first attempt to build a worldwide grid network.

Mr. Mathur said estimates show that solar power would become as cheap as power from fossil fuels in the next three years, making it easier to develop new solar plants and storage facilities. But still, it will need nations to reach complex agreements.

The number of countries that will participate will increase over time, as costs for solar lowers.

Mr. Mathur pointed out that the International Solar Alliance expects to enter into an agreement with the Global Energy Alliance to create a $10 billion fund for the project and help mitigate associated risks.

Source Credit - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/india-uk-to-launch-global-solar-grid-project-at-cop26/articleshow/87419095.cms