PowerGrid holds seminar on Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun One World One Grid

'Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World,

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PowerGrid), a 'Maharatna' company under Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, organised a seminar on 'Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) at Hotel Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi in the run up to the G20 event to be held in Delhi.

The gathering was virtually addressed by Mr R. K. Singh, Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, Govt. of India. He stated, "India has already established cross border interconnections with its neighbours and strengthening of various cross border links is under process. OSOWOG will enable all nations to reap the benefit of energy from the Sun. This is very relevant to today's context particularly when we are transitioning to renewable energy. Once this transnational grid interconnection happens, it will do away with dependence on storage, which is costlier and required for round the clock renewable energy. It will also ensure power access to the millions without it." He wished the seminar a great success.

Mr Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA,Mr Ajay Tewari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power,Mr Ashish Upadhyaya. Special Secretary & Financial Adviser, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India and Mr K. Sreekant, CMD, PowerGrid addressed in the inaugural session of the seminar which was attended by think tanks, industry, academia, sector experts and media.

Globally, energy transition and energy security, driven by renewable capacity addition are the thrust areas towards sustainability. Considering that the Sun never sets and every hour, half the planet is bathed in sunshine, harnessing energy from sun, wind and water would facilitate generation of clean energy, enough to meet the needs of everyone on the earth. However, this requires transnational exchange of electricity through grid interconnections.

These efforts need to be synergized and supplemented by establishing an inter-connected global electricity grid through transnational interconnections. This is the vision for One Sun, One World, One Grid through development of transnational grid connections towards ensuring energy security for a sustainable future.

The panel consisted of eminent experts from India and abroad. Mr. Waleed S. Alsuraih from The World Bank presented the Transnational Grid Interconnection-Middle East & Africa perspective. He emphasised that once the full Pan Arab Electricity Market (PAEM) is operational, it will enable interregional grids' integration between South Asia via GCC, EU & Africa, and trade with 5 regional electricity markets. The envisaged PAEM grid connects its 3 sub-regions and strengthens the potential for further integration with other regional markets.

Mr. Pankaj Batra, Senior Advisor, IRADe provided the ASEAN perspective stating that the complementarities of energy resources of SAARC, BIMSTEC and ASEAN countries can be utilised through transnational interconnections. Mr. Ashok Pal, Dy. COO, CTUIL, discussed technical considerations and business models of existing Indian cross border interconnections. The System Operation Aspects for Regional Grid Interconnection were shared by Mr. S. R. Narasimhan, CMD, Grid Controller of India.

During the seminar, Dr. S. K. Chatterjee, Chief, CERC gave insights into the Regulatory and Legal aspects for Regional Grid Interconnection while Mr. Niket Jain, Chief Manager, Siemens Energy discussed various technologies for transnational interconnections. The session on OSOWOG was moderated by Mr. Shubhranshu Patnaik, Deloitte India. The seminar ended with vote of thanks by Mr. Abhay Chaudhary, Director (Projects) POWERGRID.

Following the theme of G20 "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" i.e. One-Earth, One-Family and One-Future, India under its G20 presidency highlighted the importance of transnational grid Interconnections in enhancing energy security, fostering economic growth, and facilitating universal energy access for all, in affordable, reliable and sustainable manner which will accelerate integration of Renewable Energy towards energy transition with enhanced resiliency.