Guyana, and Togo ratify ISA framework

Two countries from two different continents – the Republic of Guyana from South America, and Togo from Africa – have ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement.

Carl B Greenidge, second Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, visited ISA’s headquarters in New Delhi with a delegation, on January 30, 2018.

Development summit

ISA, now a recognized body, aims to further extend its global reach by participating in the upcoming World Sustainable Development Summit 2018, to be held in New Delhi by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) from February 15 to 17.

ISA is also set to host its 6th meeting of the International Steering Committee (ISC) on February 20. The discussion will focus on, among other issues, reviewing the progress of ISA programs; the Paris Risk Mitigation Fund,also known as the Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM); energy efficiency; and the appointment of a new Director General.

At present, Upendra Tripathy, former Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is acting as ISA’s Interim Director General, actively participating in activities both in India and globally. He was also present at the meeting where the World Bank and IREDA sanctioned $33 million worth of loans to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd (RUMSL).

There, he congratulated IREDA and RUMSL for achieving the feat in such a short time and also for the innovative Payment Security Mechanism, which will ensure timely payment to the developer.

Scaling solar

Overall, ISA is working on five solar programs. They are:

1. Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use: Twelve countries are participating in the program. Overall, 15 solar water pumping system (SWPS) manufacturers have committed to jointly supplying and installing around 718,800 SWPS in ISA member countries in Africa.
2. Affordable Finance at Scale: Currently, 17 countries are participating under this program, for which the World Bank has sanctioned $500,000. In an event, National Focal Points (NFP) Conclave held in December 2017 in New Delhi, ISA together with NFPs, discussed a matrix-based allocation of a $1 billion credit mobilization by the year 2030. Additionally, in support of the program, Yes Bank has committed $1 billion investment by 2022 and another $5 billion by 2030.
3. Scaling Solar Mini Grids: Eighteen ISA countries are participating in the program. Indian industries have committed to installing 110 MW of mini-grids under India’s $2 billion soft loan for African member countries. Also, the government of France had allocated €300 million for solar projects in Africa.
4. The other two programs, Scaling Solar Rooftop and Scaling Solar supported e-mobility, are still under preparation, and will be launched during the Solar Summit on March 11, 2018.

The founding ceremony of the ISA will be held on March 11 alongside the summit. It is expected that Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and French President, Emmanuel Macron will inaugurate the ceremony.

Additionally, in a 6th ISC meeting, a proposal for the appointment of a Pro-tem President for the first assembly will be discussed.

As per the ISA statement, ISC may hold the first assembly of the ISA on April 20, 2018, around the 2nd RE-INVEST event, which is scheduled for April 19 to 21, 2018, in Greater Noida, near New Delhi.

*The article was updated on March 1, 2018, to amend a previously incorrect statement. We had earlier reported that Papua New Guinea has ratified the ISA FA, but are happy to correct this and state that it has just signed not ratified the ISA FA.