Empowering Tomorrow Through Partnerships & Solar Solutions
- Dr Ashok Barthwal
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
The theme of the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) is 'Empowering Tomorrow through Partnerships and Solutions.' A four-day event with participation from 124 countries, featuring over 40 ministers, was held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital of India, Delhi.
In her inauguration speech, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu urged all Member Countries to think beyond infrastructure and focus on the lives of the people. She said that this Assembly should develop a collective action plan that links solar energy with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital inclusion. Our progress should not only be measured by the megawatts but by the number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities transformed. The focus should also be on technology development and on sharing the latest and advanced technologies with all for maximum benefit. She emphasized that as we expand large-scale solar installations, we should ensure that the ecological balance of the region is preserved, as environmental conservation is the very reason for turning to green energy.
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Union Minister of New & and Renewable Energy, Mr.Pralhad Joshi, and Renewable Energy, also President of the ISA Assembly, said that owing to its clear vision and the consistent policies, India achieved its renewable energy targets five years ahead of schedule, crossing the 50% mark in overall installed electricity capacity from non-fossil resources. Today, with approximately 125 GW of solar capacity, India is the world's third-largest solar producer. This progress shows how the national ambition can translate into meaningful change at the local level. It is because our success story is more than just numbers; it is about the people.
We have seen firsthand how decentralized solar transforms lives, brings light to rural homes, powers local health centers, and gives new tools to our farmers. With PM Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana, more than 20 lakh households are benefiting from solar power.” He further added, “Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, we are taking this transformation to the heartland of India. The three components of the scheme target the installation of 10 gigawatts of small solar plants; support 1.4 million off-grid solar pumps; and solarize 3.5 million grid-connected agricultural pumps. Together, these efforts are ensuring that clean energy reaches the last mile. It is this combination of scale and inclusiveness that defines India’s energy transition.
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According to the Director General of the International Solar Alliance, Mr.Ashish Khanna, Global renewable energy is at an inflection point. It took oil 25 years to reach 1,000 GW — renewables doubled that in just two years. For the first time, renewable generation has surpassed fossil generation. France announced a financial contribution of 150000 euros to Africa’s solar facility in 2025.
The International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at COP21 in Paris. It has 124 Member and Signatory Countries as a global platform advancing solar energy to improve energy access and security. The mission is to mobilize 1 trillion US dollars in solar investments by 2030. It promotes the use of solar energy in the fields of agriculture, health, transport, and power generation. ISA Member Countries are driving change by enacting policies.
