Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Sep 7: A one-day conference with the theme “Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)” was held in New Delhi on September 6 in advance of the 18th G20 Summit.
The conference aims to explore the potential of cross-border energy connectivity and collaboration, according to a press release from the Ministry of Power. It was organised by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a “Maharatna” company under the Government of India’s Ministry of Power.
Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh in a virtual address emphasized India’s commitment to utilizing transnational grid interconnections to harness solar energy efficiently, the press release stated.
As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, Singh emphasized the importance of programs like OSOWOG in enabling countries to utilize the sun’s enormous energy resources, as per the release.
He emphasised that OSOWOG has the potential to make 24/7 renewable energy more cost-effective, eliminating the need for energy reserves and ultimately cutting electricity rates for the general public while ensuring energy access for millions of people who lack it now can have access it, the press release further read.
“Once we have OSOWOG, no one will ever have to go without electricity. This will unite the world and ensure energy access to the millions of people who do not have access” , the minister declared, expressing his optimism.
A distinguished panel of international and domestic experts discussed the importance of transnational grid interconnections at the conference.
The World Bank’s Waleed S. Alsuraih emphasised the potential for interregional grid integration in the Middle East and Africa, emphasising the Pan Arab Electricity Market’s (PAEM) significance in linking South Asia with the European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Africa, the press release stated.
The ASEAN perspective was offered by Pankaj Batra, Senior Advisor at IRADe, who also emphasized the complementing energy resources of the SAARC, BIMSTEC and ASEAN nations that may be accessed through transnational interconnections.
Ashok Pal, Deputy COO of CTUIL, spoke about the technical elements and business models of the current cross-border interconnections in India, while S. R. Narasimhan, CMD of Grid Controller of India, focused on the system operation aspects of regional grid interconnection, the press release read.
Dr. S. K. Chatterjee, Chief of CERC, provided regulatory and legal concerns for regional grid interconnections, while Niket Jain, Chief Manager at Siemens Energy, discussed alternative technologies for transnational interconnections.
The conference also covered the idea of “One Sun, One World, and One Grid” and how achieving energy security for a sustainable future depends on the transnational exchange of electricity through grid interconnectivity, the press release stated.
India, which is now holding the G20 presidency has noted that transnational grid interconnections are crucial for strengthening energy security, promoting economic growth and permitting universal access to energy.
The G20’s, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One-Earth, One-Family, One-Future” theme, which emphasizes international cooperation in energy planning, information sharing, research and development and technical assistance to encourage renewable energy integration, is in line with this goal, the release read.
The conference is an important step in accomplishing these objectives and ensuring that everyone has access to sustainable energy in the future.
