Policy Update
Lubina Dua
Background
Solar power is abundant but constrained by geography and time: electricity is generated only where and when sunlight is available, while demand continues around the clock. One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) seeks to address this mismatch through interconnected electricity grids that enable renewable power to move across countries and time zones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi first proposed the concept at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in October 2018 and reiterated it in his Independence Day address in 2020. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy subsequently prepared a draft plan for a common grid connecting approximately 140 countries (Invest India, 2022, 2024).
OSOWOG acquired an international institutional framework at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. India’s initiative was combined with the United Kingdom’s Green Grids Initiative and launched as GGI–OSOWOG in partnership with the ISA and the World Bank Group. The accompanying One Sun Declaration was endorsed by more than 90 ISA member countries (International Solar Alliance [ISA], 2021).
The initiative combines energy cooperation, climate action, and foreign policy. By promoting shared renewable-energy infrastructure, India seeks to position itself as a leader in the global energy transition
Functioning
OSOWOG is structured as a phased programme of cross-border grid interconnection, coordinated by the ISA with technical assistance from the World Bank and political sponsorship from India and the United Kingdom.
Table 1: The Three Phases of OSOWOG
| Phase | Geographic Scope | Objective |
| Phase I | Middle East, South Asia, South-East Asia (MESASEA) | Interconnect the Indian grid with the grids of the Middle East, South Asia, and South-East Asia to create a common regional grid for sharing solar and other renewable energy |
| Phase II | Africa | Extend the MESASEA grid to interconnect with African renewable energy pools |
| Phase III | Global | Complete global interconnection across continents and time zones |
Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy draft plan, as reported by Invest India (2022, 2024)
The programme’s governance architecture has been progressively formalised. The Ministry of Power confirmed in 2023 that the OSOWOG charter had been finalised and a steering committee was being constituted, with an international group of countries examining a draft implementation agreement (Ministry of Power, as reported by Invest India, 2024). Within the ISA, OSOWOG now operates as a flagship programme on Regional and Global Interconnections, with defined workstreams covering trans-regional power system planning, promotion of advanced interconnection technologies, and capacity building through regional dialogues and training programmes (ISA, 2026).
The initiative rests on India’s existing cross-border electricity trade, which supplies the operational template for wider interconnection.
Table 2: India’s Operational Cross-Border Electricity Interconnections
| Partner Country | Nature of Interconnection | Status |
| Bhutan | Hydropower import corridors developed over four decades of bilateral cooperation | Mature; renewable energy cooperation agreement signed in 2025 (Ministry of External Affairs [MEA], 2025) |
| Nepal | Cross-border links, including 400 kV corridors, and two-way seasonal exchange | Operational and expanding (Ministry of Power, 2023) |
| Bangladesh | 400 kV double-circuit line and HVDC back-to-back system; flows ranging from about 600 MW to over 1,100 MW | Operational commercial exchange (Ministry of Power, 2023) |
| Myanmar | Limited cross-border connectivity | Operational at a small scale (Ministry of Power, 2023) |
Source: Ministry of Power statements at the Conference on Transnational Grid Interconnections for OSOWOG, September 2023, as reported by Invest India (2024)
Supporting instruments include an ISRO-developed solar calculator application that uses Indian satellite data to estimate the solar potential of any location on Earth, offered as a global public good under the ISA umbrella (Invest India, 2022), and the ISA’s target of mobilising USD 1 trillion in solar investment by 2030 to help developing countries build generation and grid infrastructure (Invest India, 2024).
Performance
OSOWOG has performed most strongly in political coalition-building and institutional development. The endorsement of the One Sun Declaration by more than 90 ISA member countries gave the initiative a broad multilateral mandate. Its partnership with the United Kingdom, the ISA, and the World Bank has also strengthened its international credibility (ISA, 2021).
The project pipeline has moved from vision towards feasibility. In September 2023, the Union Minister holding the portfolios of Power and New and Renewable Energy stated that India’s grid was already interconnected with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, while discussions were underway with Sri Lanka, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia (Ministry of Power, 2023, as reported by Invest India, 2024).
By 2025–26, proposals for long-distance transmission links had advanced further. The Ministry of Power indicated a possible investment of approximately ₹90,000 crore for transmission corridors connecting India with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with each link expected to carry around 2 GW. A detailed assessment was also underway with Saudi Arabia (Ganapathy, 2026). India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE separately agreed to cooperate on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub.
India’s domestic renewable-energy expansion strengthens the credibility of its external proposal. The country ranked third globally in installed renewable-energy capacity, reaching 274.68 GW by March 2026 (Press Information Bureau, 2026). India has also committed to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
However, OSOWOG has yet to commission a new international transmission line directly attributable to the initiative. Its achievements remain largely preparatory, including political declarations, governance arrangements, feasibility studies, and bilateral consultations. Existing links with neighbouring countries predate OSOWOG and were developed primarily through bilateral agreements.
Impact
Strengthening India’s climate diplomacy
OSOWOG allows India to present itself not only as a major energy consumer but also as an architect of international renewable-energy infrastructure. Its leadership of the ISA and the One Sun Declaration has strengthened India’s role in shaping climate cooperation.
Supporting regional energy security
Cross-border electricity trade can help countries balance variations in renewable-energy generation. For example, Nepal’s hydropower surplus during the monsoon can complement India’s seasonal electricity requirements, while India can supply power to Nepal during the dry season. Such exchanges demonstrate the practical logic behind OSOWOG.
Deepening strategic partnerships
Proposed transmission links with Saudi Arabia and the UAE integrate renewable-energy cooperation into India’s wider engagement with West Asia. Cooperation on electricity interconnection, green hydrogen, and energy supply chains also complements broader connectivity initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.
Promoting cooperative connectivity
OSOWOG offers developing countries a model based on shared infrastructure and reciprocal electricity exchange. It has also contributed to wider discussions on regional grid integration, including the ASEAN Power Grid and Singapore’s plans to import low-carbon electricity.
Emerging Issues
1. High cost and technical complexity
Long-distance and undersea transmission cables require substantial capital, specialised technology, and lengthy construction periods. Electricity imported through such links must remain competitive with locally generated power.
Suggestion: India should prioritise shorter and commercially viable connections, particularly with Sri Lanka and neighbouring South Asian countries, before committing large investments to trans-Arabian Sea links. Feasibility reports should also be made public to improve investor confidence.
2. Regulatory and market fragmentation
Physical infrastructure alone cannot create an integrated electricity market. Cross-border trade requires compatible grid codes, tariff systems, scheduling rules, settlement mechanisms, and dispute-resolution procedures.
Suggestion: The ISA steering committee should develop a model intergovernmental electricity-trading agreement and a common regional grid framework for the first phase of OSOWOG.
3. Financing constraints
The ISA’s ambition to mobilise USD 1 trillion in solar investment by 2030 remains considerably larger than currently committed resources. Cross-border transmission infrastructure may also attract less private investment than renewable-energy generation projects because of political and regulatory risks.
Suggestion: The ISA and World Bank should establish a blended-finance mechanism using concessional funding, sovereign guarantees, and risk-sharing instruments to attract private capital.
4. Institutional and implementation gaps
OSOWOG remains a programme within the ISA rather than a separately funded institution with dedicated staffing and delivery responsibilities. This contributes to the gap between political announcements and completed infrastructure.
Suggestion: A dedicated programme-management unit should be established within the ISA, with annual reporting on feasibility studies, agreements, financing, construction, and commissioned transmission capacity.
Way Forward
OSOWOG is one of India’s most ambitious proposals for global climate cooperation. It has secured considerable political support, established partnerships with credible international institutions, and initiated feasibility work on regional and intercontinental transmission links.
Its long-term significance, however, will depend on implementation. The immediate priorities should be financial closure and construction of the first OSOWOG-linked interconnector, development of a regional electricity-trading framework, and transparent reporting on progress.
India does not need to create a worldwide grid immediately. A more realistic approach would be to demonstrate, corridor by corridor, that cross-border renewable-energy systems can be commercially viable, institutionally manageable, and mutually beneficial. Successful regional projects would provide the strongest foundation for expanding OSOWOG from an international vision into functioning infrastructure.
References
International Solar Alliance. (2021, November 2). One Sun Declaration: Green Grids Initiative—One Sun One World One Grid. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6188f4f0d3bf7f55fbc3ace3/One_Sun_Declaration__Glasgow_2_November_2021__2_.pdf
International Solar Alliance. (n.d.). One Sun One World One Grid programme on regional and global interconnections. Retrieved July 24, 2026, from https://isa.int/programmes
Invest India. (2022, August 31). Green Grids Initiative: One Sun, One World, One Grid. https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/green-grids-initiative-one-sun-one-world-one-grid
Invest India. (2021, October 11). One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): India as the lynchpin of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). https://www.investindia.gov.in/siru/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-osowog-india-lynchpin-international-solar-alliance-isa
Invest India. (2024, January 10). One Sun, One World, One Grid: Empowering sustainability. https://www.investindia.gov.in/blogs/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-empowering-sustainability
Ministry of External Affairs. (2025, April 23). Joint statement at the conclusion of the state visit of Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Government of India. https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/39440/
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. (n.d.). Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Government of India. Retrieved July 24, 2026, from https://mnre.gov.in/en/
Ministry of Power. (2023, September 6). Conference on transnational grid interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid held in New Delhi. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1955243
Ganapathy, N. (2026, January 5). Building connections: India seeks to redraw energy map with green power grid plans. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/building-connections-india-seeks-to-redraw-energy-map-with-green-power-grid-plans
International Renewable Energy Agency. (2023, July). Renewable energy statistics 2023. https://www.irena.org/Publications/2023/Jul/Renewable-energy-statistics-2023
International Solar Alliance. (n.d.). International Solar Alliance. https://isa.int
Press Information Bureau. (2026, April 8). India ranks third globally in renewable energy installed capacity: Shri Pralhad Joshi. Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2250039
About the Contributor
Lubina Dua is a policy researcher whose work focuses on governance, institutional design, and evidence-based public policy. She has represented India at the Harvard Conference on Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) and participated in the World Bank Youth Summit.
Acknowledgement
The author extends sincere thanks to the IMPRI team for their guidance.
Reviewed by: Madhuritha D & Devanandana
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
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