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

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.