COP26: Global 'Green Grids Initiative' to focus on best solar, wind power locations

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a coalition for clean energy and grid development Nov. 2 at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

The Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid, focused on integrating solar and wind power into networks, is to be coordinated by a ministerial steering group to include France, India, the UK and the US, plus representatives from Africa, the Gulf, Latin America and Southeast Asia, according to a statement from the conference. The declaration was endorsed by more than 80 countries.

The steering group would seek to accelerate construction of large solar and wind projects in the best locations, linked by continental-scale grids crossing national borders, the statement said.

"We need new transmission lines crossing frontiers and connecting different time zones, creating a global ecosystem of interconnected renewables that are shared for mutual benefit," Johnson and Modi said in the statement.

Germany attended the first meeting of the group as an observer while post-election negotiations on a new government continued, as did Australia.

Among business leaders also involved in the project were Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of ACWA Power, the utility and solar developer with the world's cheapest solar power project.

The Green Grids Initiative would also focus on community low voltage grids, including village mini-grids, to ensure a reliable, resilient and affordable supply of clean energy for all, it said.

Global installed solar capacity is set to reach one terawatt next year led by China, Europe and the US.

S&P Global Platts Analytics has lifted its five-year solar capacity additions outlook by 12% with some 650 GW to be added around the world by 2026.

According to the estimates, solar PV capacity added in 2020 would generate about 130 TWh/year of electricity, representing about 10% of assumed global power demand growth for 2021.

"Scaling up clean power is one of the main objectives of COP26, together with an acceleration of coal phase outs. As net-zero targets have proliferated, more action is needed in the medium term to make sure targets are met," Platts Analytics Bruno Brunetti said.