Interview/ Dr A Ajay Kumar : International Solar Allance Conference

“No energy movement can happen without People’s participation”

Being headquartered in New Delhi, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) offers a rare opportunity for India to provide a global leadership to address the energy crisis with which its member countries are grappling. Against the backdrop of the ISA Conference, A Ajay Kumar IFS, the director of Conference, spoke to Organiser. Excerpts:  

First of all Hearty Congratulations for successful organisation of International Solar Alliance (ISA) Conference. What is the significance of this and how far were the objectives achieved?
Thank you for your wishes. The International Solar Alliance Founding Conference was a huge success. We are all very proud of being able to do our small bit in that historic event. The ISA represents aspiration of 121 solar resources rich countries falling between tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn. These countries, however, lack technology as well as enough investment to harness the solar resources that the nature has blessed them with. The Solar Alliance has been envisaged by our visionary leadership to collectively address these issues. As you are aware India, is moving very fast to acquire leadership role in the renewable energy sector with our commitment to generate 175 gigawatt electricity from renewable, including 100 gigawatt from solar by the year 2022. The Founding Conference, in terms of participation, is a major success. 42 delegations including 22 at the level of Head of State or Government attended the Conference. A number of Multilateral Development Banks too joined the Founding Conference. Out of the total 121 prospective countries 61 have signed the Solar Alliance Agreement and 30 of them have ratified it in relatively short time.
What is the significance of the ISA in India, especially in the context of having its international headquarters in Delhi NCR?
This would be the first multilateral organisation headquartered in India. As the first multilateral organisation based in India, the ISA assumes significance as the symbol of rising acceptability of India as a major international player. The ISA being headquartered in India will help India to play this leadership role more effectively.
Excessive dependence on Chinese imports is a growing concern in Solar sector. How can we address the same?   
India needs to ensure that its solar energy is cheaper than fossil fuel. Encouraging local industries should be our objective even as we endeavour to keep the cost of solar energy lowest possible. We have to develop strategies to secure both these interests. Many Indian companies that participated in the founding conference are confident that they can ensure that solar essentials are substantially of Indian content.
What is the role that voluntary organisations, common people and private sector can play to make this mission a success?
No solar energy movement can happen with government initiative only. People’s participation is a key element to achieve our objectives. Barefoot College, Tilonia (Rajasthan) has been promoting and training rural women solar engineers (solar mamas) from Africa in fabrication, installation, use, repair and maintenance of solar lanterns and household solar lighting under Government of India supported programmes. The kind of investment that we are looking at is huge and without private participation it is hard to realise those goals.