One Sun, One World, One Grid: What it is, why it's needed, what will it do?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address again asserted the mega plan of “One Sun, One World, One Grid” (OSOWOG) — a trans-national electricity grid supplying solar power across the globe. Modi first presented the idea in 2018 during the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Policy experts describe it as part of India’s answer to China’s “One Belt One Road” project.

What is OSOWOG and what will it do?

According to the draft plan of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid that will be used to transfer solar power. “The vision behind the OSOWOG mantra is ‘The Sun Never Sets’ and is a constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time. With India at the fulcrum, the solar spectrum can easily be divided into two broad zones viz. far East, which would include countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia etc, and far West, which would cover the Middle East and the Africa Region,” MNRE said in the Request for Proposal for hiring consultants.

The plan is divided into three phases. Phase 1 will connect the Indian grid with grids in West Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia to share solar and other renewable energy resources. Phase 2 will connect the first-phase nations with the African pool of renewable sources. And Phase 3 will be the final step of global inter-connection.

How novel is the idea?

Having international associations is not a new trend for the energy sector, which already has a strong geo-political organisation such as OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). Officially announced during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, ISA is a partnership of solar resource-rich countries. 

Currently, 121 countries, mostly from Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe, have agreed to become ISA members. Pakistan and China are not a part of ISA.

India also has power trade with Bhutan and hydropower project development pact with Nepal. Last year, the Central Electricity Regulatory Authority gave its nod to new regulations for cross-border electricity trade, making it easier.

However, having an intercontinental power infrastructure is a fairly new idea. Australia-based Sun Cable is developing the Australian-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL) under which it will supply renewable electricity from Australia to Singapore and later to Indonesia. 

Why is OSOWOG needed and is it practical?

Several countries, including China, have initiated infrastructure projects in other countries, a step seen as a sign of asserting supremacy. While India is a partner nation is most trade associations, with ISA and OSOWOG it is planning to take a leadership position.

“It is obviously a very grand and ambitious project. But it is also clear that a new energy sector paradigm is needed as we are facing a huge inflexion point in electricity generation and consumption. Its potential benefits include a widespread scale-up in access to energy, a check on carbon emissions, lower cost and improved livelihood,” said Vinay Rustagi, managing director, Bridge to India, a research agency tracking renewable sector in India. “India will need a strong coalition of international partners to realise this vision. It will be interesting to see a practical outline and how the government intends to go about its execution.” 

Geo-politically, this is being touted as a clever strategy. However, technology-wise, it is yet to make sense. With battery and storage technology becoming cheaper, electricity consumption at source end is a more feasible idea for solar power. However, shortage of land bank and limited hours of sunshine tip the balance in favour of expanding the sourcing of solar energy to other nations.

Several African nations are devoid of reliable electricity supply and that makes them a ready market for electricity infrastructure and for renewable energy development. Off-grid solar systems have found large acceptability in Kenya, where these are also a means of addressing poverty and illiteracy.
 

Chinese companies are already active in several African markets. While India has taken baby steps with the ISA, a major investment drive is still missing. This is planned to be achieved through OSOWOG.