India has successfully hosted a worldwide platform for ‘sunshine countries’ ahead of the climate talks in Paris.
During the third India-Africa Forum, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi formally invited around 110 nations to join an international solar alliance, the International Agency for Solar Policy and Application (InSPA) which will be launched at the Paris Climate Conference COP 21 on November 30.
The alliance aims to promote solar power for meeting growing energy demand and to tackle climate change. India will lead the international solar alliance to host the ‘sunshine countries’ which represent all major developed and developing economies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
The agenda for InSPA was floated earlier this year by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) which received appreciation from various countries including China and Australia.
Speaking at the third India-Africa Forum, Modi said: “Our goal is to make solar energy an integral part of our life and reach it to the most unconnected villages and communities.”
InSPA will act as a platform to share knowledge and costly solar energy technologies with the developing nations, thereby reducing the technology gap between developed and developing nations.
All of the countries which are part of this alliance have high solar irradiation. A majority of them also face similar problems, such as lack of accessibility and energy poverty. This alliance will provide a common platform to learn from mutual experiences, research and development, and look for common financial solutions.
This alliance is part of a commitment made by India to the United Nations where India committed to have 40% of its installed capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
