US and India to work on advancing grid interconnection

As the United States and India work together to address the climate crisis and advance renewable energy technologies, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote more responsive and sustainable energy systems.

This partnership aims to expand the use of renewable energy, strengthen energy interconnections across regions, and support the development of a unified grid to facilitate the large-scale transfer of clean power, according to a Dec. 6, 2024 press release from USAID..

Under the MoU, USAID will work with ISA to establish and expand clean energy transmission networks. These efforts will focus on regions such as South Asia, the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Africa, promoting energy security, sustainability, and greater access to renewable energy across borders.

This collaboration aligns with the ISA’s One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative, a flagship effort to drive cross-border energy trade and ensure reliable, affordable access to renewable energy.

Co-founded by India and France in 2015 and headquartered in Gurugram, India, the ISA serves as a global platform to advance solar energy adoption, mobilize investments, and develop innovative solutions to combat climate change. USAID will bring its technical expertise, innovative financing tools, and decades of experience in fostering sustainable energy solutions to support ISA’s mission and the successful implementation of OSOWOG, the press release said.

“The U.S. Government is committed to advancing global clean energy transitions as part of our efforts to address the climate crisis,” USAID Mission Director Dr. Steven Olive is quoted saying in the press release. “Promoting sustainable power systems that incorporate renewable energy sources is essential for building energy security and driving economic growth,” he added, noting that the MoU with ISA is an important step in that direction.

Director General of the ISA Dr. Ajay Mathur the MoU would endeavor to “accelerate trans-regional electricity grid interconnections, enhance regional power system planning and cross-border clean energy trade, create regional clean energy markets/power pools, and mobilize investment and financial models for trans-regional cross-border electricity grid connections and super grids.”

The MoU reaffirms a key commitment outlined in the U.S.-India Joint Statement issued in September 2024, which identified clean energy collaboration as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.