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Development of Large-Scale Solar Power Projects under Solar Park Concept in Cluster/Group of ISA Member Countries

INTRODUCTION

Global trends show a clear shift from fossil-fuel based energy generation based on coal, diesel and gas resulting in high GHG emissions towards clean, efficient, environment-friendly renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and wind due to increasing global warming and climate change concerns. In this energy transition, solar energy in particular would be at the centre stage.

Energy is a key input towards raising the standard of living of citizens of any country which is evident from the correlation between per capita electricity consumption and the Human Development Index. Nearly 1.2 billion people world over are without access to electricity. Energy policies of developing countries should aim to raise per capita energy (and electricity) consumption with focus on energy access and eradication of poverty.

There is a need for large power capacity addition, particularly in developing countries. However, the countries today are largely dependent on fossil fuel-based electricity generation plants to meet their power requirements. The clear way forward is to focus on efficient use of energy and thrust on newer power capacity additions based on Renewable Energy (RE) sources. This will not only address the issues of energy access and global warming, but also increase the energy security of the countries.

Among RE Sources, Solar stands highly promising, particularly for ISA Countries. In recent years, the reduction in cost of Solar PV panels due to increasing market competition has brought down the Solar PV Based power generation cost lower than fossil fuel-based power generation thereby bringing lot of opportunities for Solar PV generation capacity to scale up. Low gestation period for development of solar projects from ‘concept to commissioning’ is another key advantage.

While decentralized deployment of Solar PV, such as Solar Applications for Agriculture Use, Solar Mini Grids and Solar Rooftops, would help in addressing the energy access challenges, there are distinct advantages in going for large scale Solar Projects with the concept of Solar Parks. In fact, in many parts of the world, large scale ground-mounted Solar Projects are being planned /developed.

PROPOSAL

Article III (2) I of the Framework Agreement provides that a programme may be proposed by any two member countries or group of members, or by the Secretariat. During the visits of ISA Expert team to Mali, Togo and Benin, Mali and Benin proposed implementing solar projects under the Solar Park concept. The relevant extracts of the minutes/Report signed by NFPs of Mali and Togo is appended to this proposal.

ISA Member countries are located across regions of Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Europe. Development of large-scale solar generation capacity in various regions and development of bi-lateral, regional and inter-regional transmission inter-connections has the potential to eventually lead to global inter-connection of solar energy resources and solar energy transfer from one part of the world to other. Thus, it would also help realizing the vision of “One Sun, One World, One Grid” articulated by the Honourable Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi during the First Assembly of ISA during 2nd October to 5th October, 2018, National Capital Region, Delhi, India. Such future developments will likely create significant opportunities for ISA Member countries for solar energy trade/sharing within and across regions. A draft Program Guidelines for Development of Large-Scale Solar Power Projects under Solar Park Concept is included in Annex I below.

NEXT STEPS:

The Committee is invited to provide guidance to the Secretariat on the draft proposal for a new ISA Programme on Large Scale Solar Power projects in ISA Member countries and recommend the proposal for the approval of Second Assembly

ANNEX I

Draft programme guidelines for development of largescale solar projects under solar park concept in cluster/group of member countries+

Program Code: ISA/06/2019/SPP

Objective: To promote, assess potential, harmonize demand and pool resources for rapid development of large-scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept in pursuit of the objectives of the Paris Declaration, 2015 and towards fulfillment of its obligations under Article II and III (2) of Framework Agreement.

Coverage & Scope: The Program of five (5) years duration, from the date of launch or till year 2024, covers the following:

Development of large-scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept among cluster/Group of 121 Prospective Member Countries including Island States with the support of ISA Member Countries, Partner Countries and Other Countries;
All kinds of existing or future technologies in the field of Solar PV Modules, Thin Films, Flexible Modules, Solar Tiles, etc.; Inverters, Hybrid Inverters, Micro-Inverters, Power Controllers, etc.; Storage Devices, Module Mounting/Fixing Structures, Smart Meters, Measuring Instruments, Tracking/ Remote Monitoring Systems, Auto-Panel Cleaning Devices, Cables, Cable Treys, Connecters, Junction Boxes, Distribution Boxes, Relays, Fuses, Arrestors, Safety Devices, etc. subject to their meeting the relevant IEC Codes and/or other Codes or Standards or regulations as specified by the Member Country, Partner Country, ISA or the Appropriate Authority.

Action Plan and Activities for Successful Implementation of the Program:

Assessment of Land, Solar Potential and Demand Aggregation and Implementation Plan Settings, in the Member Countries or Partner Countries or Other Countries under various categories and sectors by adopting various physical, remote-sensing and other survey tools, methods, procedures, questionnaires and processes.

Development and adoption of Common Methodologies for

Progressive and enabling Policy & Regulations for Land, Solar, transmission including Tariff Regulations
Model Bidding Documents and Model Power Purchase Agreements;
Standards, Certifications and Quality Assurance Plan, Inspection and Testing:
Grid-Connectivity Norms and Processes; Metering Systems/ Procedures;
Installation and O&M Practices, Safety Measures, Remote Monitoring Systems, etc
Any other incidental activity

Promotion of large scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept by organizing Awareness Program, Capacity Building Program, Sharing of Best Practices and Successful Business Models for Entrepreneurs, Project Developers, Utility Engineers, Financial Institutions, Banks, etc.; Also, organization of international, regional and national conferences, seminars, workshops, roundtables, exhibitions, etc. to sensitize various stakeholders including public at large in association with Partner Organizations, Think Tanks, Civil Societies, Vendors, Suppliers, OEMs, Industry and Trade Associations, Entrepreneurs,Startups etc. for rapid market development and penetration;

Development and dissemination of Distant Learning Program, Training/ Skill Development Program and Certification Courses through various e-platforms, Videos, training literatures, documentation etc. in association with Educational and Technical Training Institutions, Development Agencies, Skill Council for Green Jobs, NGOs, etc. to build a skilled and trained workforce in the large scale solar segment;

Facilitation of Technical and Financial Assistance to public and private entities, to plan and design large scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept , prepare techno-economic feasibility reports and detail project reports; to draw finance and invest plan, encourage publicprivate partnerships; to prepare and float Expression of Interests (EoI), Request for Proposal (RfP), to finalize, award and manage domestic and international competitive bidding through e-platforms, post-award contract management, project installation, operation and maintenance and project monitoring during implementation, operation & maintenance stage through ICT , e-platforms or remote monitoring systems in association with Member Countries, Partner Countries, Other Countries, Technical and Knowledge Partners, Think Tanks and Consultants to enhance Local Institutional Capacity among Member Countries; and

Integration of large-scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept with Grid Distribution System, Energy Storage Systems, Policy and Regulatory Advocacy and to create necessary infrastructure among Member Countries, Partner Countries, Partner Organizations, Think Tanks, civil societies, NGOs, Consultants, Advocacy Groups, Forums, Vendors, Suppliers, OEMs, and Industry /Trade Associations.

Enforcement of Quality Parameters of Solar PV Panels, Inverters and balance of equipment.

The Plan and Program may undergo change, modification or amendment, either in part or in full or may include new Plan and Program in consultation with ISA or as decided by the Member Country or Countries.

Approach & Methodology:

The Program is through voluntary participation only. All decisions about the planning and implementation of the Program shall be taken by the Member Countries.
Member Country is to designate a Country Representative responsible for the Program within one month of the launch of the Program.
The Country Representative shall extend all necessary cooperation towards implementation of the program and communicate with ISA through an appropriate digital platform. The Country Representative shall provide inputs required from the Member Country from time to time to the ISA Program Director keeping National Focal Point informed.
The Program shall be designed based on the information shared by the Member Country and implemented through digital circulation and open consultation. Member Country shall carry out assessment of land and solar potential, carry out and facilitate aggregation of demand, set targets, and formulate plans for implementation of the Program. ISA or its authorized agency may assist the member country in such matters to achieve economy of scale, reduction in costs and speedy implementation of the program.
The Country Representative shall submit Quarterly Reports in a Standard ISAFormat as designed in consultation with Member Countries to enable ISA submit periodic reports to the Assembly.
It is proposed that the process be continued under our collective leadership until the objective of bringing affordable and reliable solar applications for large scale Solar Projects under Solar Park concept within the reach of all ISA Member Countries, Island States and other Partner Countries is reached.