India to continue to work with ISA, back solar adoption

In an executive order signed on January 7, the U.S. sought to withdraw from 66 “wasteful, ineffective or harmful international organisations”, which also included the solar alliance.

“These withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities, or that address important issues inefficiently or ineffectively such that U.S. taxpayer dollars are best allocated in other ways to support the relevant missions,” read a White House fact sheet.

The 125-member alliance was conceptualised on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015 and was formally instituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France Francois Hollande.

It aspires to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 whilst reducing technology and financing costs relating to solar implementation.

The sources stated that the alliance’s programmes are operational in more than 95 countries and had supported creation of national pipelines, regulatory frameworks, and market creation.

They added that the alliance had been “successful” in demonstrating the “feasibility and effectiveness” of solar solutions.
Taking note of the latest development, the sources held, “ISA will continue to work with member countries, particularly least developed countries and small island developing states, in development and deployment of solar energy, mobilising finance, building capacity, and reducing risk perceptions.”

At present, India holds the presidency of the alliance with France as the co-chair.