Rajasthan govt ties up with International Solar Alliance to prepare energy transition roadmap

Jaipur, Jul 8 (PTI) The Rajasthan government on Wednesday tied up with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for an action framework to accelerate the state's transition towards clean energy through grid modernisation and solar power integration. Rajasthan is the first state in the country to enter this partnership, according to a release. The framework, titled "Advance Clean Energy, Driven Sustainable Development", was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at the chief minister's residence. The agreement was signed by Energy Secretary Arti Dogra and ISA Director General Ashish Khanna. The framework will help prepare an energy transition plan for 2030-35, focusing on renewable energy expansion, strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure, grid modernisation, energy storage, energy efficiency, demand management, policy reforms and institutional capacity building, the release said. The initiative will also promote artificial intelligence-enabled digitalisation in the power sector. A pilot project based on digital twin technology will be launched in Ajmer DISCOM to improve electricity demand forecasting, network planning, renewable energy integration and the reliability of power supply. The chief minister said that the partnership would accelerate Rajasthan's transition towards renewable energy and help prepare a comprehensive plan for the expansion, transmission and distribution of solar power, leading to improved electricity supply and better quality power for consumers. He said the ISA, comprising 128 member countries, was the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to transform solar energy into a global movement. The chief minister said Rajasthan currently has more than 42 GW of installed solar power capacity, the highest among Indian states, while its total clean energy capacity has reached nearly 48 GW. Under the state's Integrated Clean Energy Policy, Rajasthan has set a target of developing 125 GW of clean energy capacity. He said more than 4 GW of solar capacity has been installed under the PM-KUSUM Scheme, enabling daytime power supply to farmers in 26 districts. Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said that the partnership would facilitate the use of artificial intelligence to improve electricity services and strengthen the state's power infrastructure. PTI SDA HVA