UK and India launch new grids initiative

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have jointly launched a new flagship international initiative at COP26 today.

Jointly led by the UK and India and backed by over 80 countries, the new initiative, called “Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid” (GGI-OSOWOG), is set to accelerate the development and deployment of interconnected electricity grids across continents, countries and communities, and improve energy access of the poorest through mini-grids and off-grid solutions.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson commented on the announcement: “The UK is working hand in hand with our friends in India to transform the future of the power sector and ensure clean and reliable electricity is accessible everywhere by the end of this decade.

“It’s fantastic that over 80 countries have backed our newly launched Green Grids Initiative, whose collaboration will not only see greater growth, jobs and investment in our global green future, but also make sure no one is left without access to energy.”

The announcement features as one of the leading initiatives under the Glasgow Breakthroughs also launched at the clean innovation and technology event, part of a new joint plan that is set to see ‘countries and businesses coordinate and strengthen their climate actions every year in polluting sectors to dramatically scale and speed up the deployment of clean technologies and drive down costs globally.’

In launching the initiative, the two Prime Ministers unveiled the ‘One Sun Declaration’, setting out a shared vision of harnessing the full potential of clean power globally through much greater interconnection of electricity grids across continents, countries and communities.

Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi stated at the launch: “The One Sun One World One Grid and Green Grids Initiative is an idea whose time has come. If the world has to move to a clean and green future, these interconnected transnational grids are going to be critical solutions.

“I congratulate the International Solar Alliance and the UK COP Presidency for bringing it nearer to implementation.”

More information about this announcement and the One sun declaration is available on the UK Government website.