• 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.