India and ISA Sign Pact for Solar Projects in 4 Indo-Pacific Nations

03 Dec 2024 CW Team

A Project Implementation Agreement was signed between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to implement new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles, according to an official statement. The agreement was finalised, as mentioned in the statement issued by the MEA.

The Wilmington Declaration, released at the Quad Leaders' Summit in Delaware, US, on September 21, outlined that the Quad countries would collaborate through policy and public finance to operationalise their commitment to catalysing high-standard private sector investment in allied and partner clean energy supply chains.

The statement further mentioned that India had pledged to invest $2 million in new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.

On November 26, the Project Implementation Agreement (PIA) was signed between the MEA and ISA to execute these projects in the Indo-Pacific nations. As the Project Implementing Agency, the ISA would provide programmatic assistance to these countries, with financial backing from India.

A study conducted by the ISA revealed that the countries selected for the solar projects faced energy-related challenges, including issues with perishability of agricultural products, unreliable electricity supply in health centres, and lack of grid power or solar mini-grids in remote areas for irrigation. Based on discussions with the recipient countries, the solar projects under consideration include cold storage facilities, solar-powered healthcare services, and solar water pumping systems.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..