ISA Launches New Solar Initiatives at 7th Assembly Session

07 Nov 2024 CW Team

ISA also launched a new Solar Data Portal, offering real-time insights into solar resources, project performance, and investment opportunities across member nations. Additionally, the Global Solar Facility was introduced, designed to direct commercial capital to underserved regions, especially in Africa. A pilot project, backed by a $39 million fund from India, ISA, Bloomberg, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, will commence in the Democratic Republic of Congo by COP29.

France’s Minister of State for Development, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, virtually reaffirmed France’s commitment of €1.5 billion to ISA initiatives, focusing on financing access and capacity-building under ISA’s STAR-C program. ISA Director General Dr. Ajay Mathur stressed the Assembly’s goal of fostering innovative solar solutions and enhancing global partnerships.

The session also reviewed guidelines for ISA’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, which offers grants covering up to 35% of eligible solar projects in LDCs and SIDS. Elections for ISA’s President and Co-President for the 2024-2026 term, as well as the announcement of a new Director General, set to take office in March 2025, are also on the agenda.

The Assembly will conclude on November 6 with a high-level conference on clean technologies and a visit to a Delhi farm demonstrating agrivoltaic systems.

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) began its seventh Assembly session in New Delhi, with delegates from 29 countries in attendance. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, serving as Assembly President, emphasized ISA’s significant progress in advancing solar energy, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He noted that 21 out of ISA’s 27 solar demonstration projects showcasing scalable solutions have been completed. ISA also launched a new Solar Data Portal, offering real-time insights into solar resources, project performance, and investment opportunities across member nations. Additionally, the Global Solar Facility was introduced, designed to direct commercial capital to underserved regions, especially in Africa. A pilot project, backed by a $39 million fund from India, ISA, Bloomberg, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, will commence in the Democratic Republic of Congo by COP29. France’s Minister of State for Development, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, virtually reaffirmed France’s commitment of €1.5 billion to ISA initiatives, focusing on financing access and capacity-building under ISA’s STAR-C program. ISA Director General Dr. Ajay Mathur stressed the Assembly’s goal of fostering innovative solar solutions and enhancing global partnerships. The session also reviewed guidelines for ISA’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, which offers grants covering up to 35% of eligible solar projects in LDCs and SIDS. Elections for ISA’s President and Co-President for the 2024-2026 term, as well as the announcement of a new Director General, set to take office in March 2025, are also on the agenda. The Assembly will conclude on November 6 with a high-level conference on clean technologies and a visit to a Delhi farm demonstrating agrivoltaic systems.

Real Estate

04 Sep 2025

Mumbai Records 11,230 Property Deals in August 2025

Mumbai’s property market remained resilient in August 2025, with 11,230 property registrations recorded under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction, according to data released by Knight Frank India. While this marks a 3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline compared to 11,631 registrations in August 2024, activity stayed robust despite the marginal dip.On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, registrations fell 11 per cent from 12,579 deals in July 2025, indicating seasonal moderation. However, the city’s stamp duty collections still reached Rs 10 billion, reflecting a 6 per cent..

Infrastructure Transport

04 Sep 2025

68 Jammu-Katra Trains Cancelled Amid Rain Damage

Jammu and Katra railway services remain severely affected as Northern Railway announced the cancellation of 68 trains—both incoming and outgoing—until 30 September, due to extensive track damage caused by heavy rains and flash floods. Meanwhile, 24 trains are scheduled to resume operations gradually.The Jammu railway division has experienced a complete halt in services for the past eight days, following track misalignment and breaches at several points along the Pathankot–Jammu section. Torrential rainfall since 26 August led to widespread flooding and damage, stranding hundreds of passe..

Infrastructure Transport

04 Sep 2025

Bangalore Metro MD Reviews Reach 6 and Phase 2A Progress

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director, Dr J Ravishankar, IAS, conducted inspections of key metro corridors on 29 and 30 August, reviewing the progress of Reach 6 (Pink Line) and Phase 2A (Blue Line).On 30 August, the inspection covered Reach 6, a 21.39-km corridor stretching from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara, with 18 stations. This stretch is part of Phase 2 of the Bangalore Metro project. Dr Ravishankar assessed the status of civil works, finishing, track laying, and system integration between Kalena Agrahara and MG Road.Earlier, on 29 August, the MD inspected Phas..