Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders’ Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (Nov 2021). When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
Subtopic: Sustainable Development · Clean-energy grid cooperation
How to structure your answer
Introduction: Identify the Green Grids Initiative–One Sun One World One Grid (GGI–OSOWOG) and its Glasgow launch.
Body: (1) purpose — an interconnected transnational solar/renewable grid; (2) the underlying logic — the sun is always shining somewhere; (3) origin — first floated by India at the ISA's first assembly in 2018.
Conclusion: a route to affordable clean power and decarbonised grids.
Written within the word limit
151 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Introduction: The Green Grids Initiative–One Sun One World One Grid (GGI–OSOWOG) was launched by India and the United Kingdom, with the International Solar Alliance and the World Bank, at the World Leaders' Summit of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.
Purpose:
- Build interconnected grids: link national and regional power grids across time zones and continents so solar and other renewable energy can flow freely.
- Use the 'always-on' sun: because the sun is shining somewhere at any moment, a connected grid keeps supply steady and cuts the need for fossil-fuel backup and storage.
- Cheaper, cleaner power: share renewable resources to lower costs, improve energy access, and decarbonise electricity.
When first floated: Prime Minister Narendra Modi first proposed the One Sun One World One Grid idea at the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in October 2018.
Conclusion: It offers a cooperative path to affordable, reliable clean energy and lower grid emissions.
What an examiner expects to see
- Full name: Green Grids Initiative–One Sun One World One Grid (GGI–OSOWOG)
- Launched at the World Leaders' Summit of COP26, Glasgow, November 2021
- Co-led by India and the United Kingdom, with the International Solar Alliance and the World Bank
- Purpose: interconnect grids across regions/time zones to move solar and renewable power
- Core logic — the sun is always shining somewhere, smoothing supply and reducing storage need
- Aims to lower power costs, expand clean-energy access and decarbonise grids
- Idea first floated by PM Modi at the first ISA Assembly in October 2018
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- International Solar Alliance (ISA), headquartered in Gurugram, India
- First ISA Assembly, October 2018 — where OSOWOG was first proposed
- UK–India agreement (2021) to merge GGI and OSOWOG
- World Bank as a launch partner at COP26