High Commissioner's Country statement at International Solar Alliance's Third General Assembly
(check against delivery) 14 October 2020
Ministers, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
I thank the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the opportunity to deliver remarks on behalf of Australia.
As a founding member of the ISA, Australia welcomes the progress made over the last three years.
We are encouraged by the broad scope of planned activities and the proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
In particular, I would like to congratulate the Governments of India and France for their efforts in establishing this important global initiative.
I would also like to thank the dedicated staff in the ISA Secretariat and their outgoing Director General, Mr Upendra Tripathy, for all their professionalism and enthusiasm.
Australia looks forward to working with the incoming Director General to continue to address energy security, energy access and emissions reductions through the greater adoption of solar energy technologies.
I was pleased to see the ISA’s agility on display, when it delivered the ISA CARES program for solar systems for health centres to provide necessary care for those most vulnerable.
Australia was proud to support this initiative with a voluntary contribution of AUD 92,000 (INR 48 lakh rueepes) to provide reliable energy for health centres in Pacific Island nations.
Australia also recently ratified the amendment to the Framework Agreement, which will further strengthen the ISA through allowing a broader membership.
In addition, Australia continues to support the ISA by though an Australian secondee to the Secretariat.
Australia is a world leader in the solar energy sector, both on- and off-grid.
Some of our achievements over the last year include:
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a record year for new solar PV capacity in Australia, with a total of 4.8 GW installed, bringing our installed PV capacity at the end of 2019 to 16GW.
- And we expect to add another 4GW this year.
- Generating an estimated 12.46 Terra Watt hours of electricity through small-scale solar PV systems—equivalent to the consumption of 2.3 million Australian households.
- And constructing or financially committing to 25 large-scale solar projects, valued at over AUD 9 billion (INR 40 thousand crores).
And only two days ago, solar output met 100 per cent of one of our State’s (South Australia’s) power demand for the first time.
As an attractive investment destination and a continent with abundant sunshine, Australia is home to several major global investments in solar.
We have welcomed major projects by global companies – including Adani Solar from India and Neoen from France.
Australia’s excellent solar research continues to achieve higher efficiencies and new innovations.
To ensure we all benefit, Australia is committed to sharing its solar expertise with ISA Members.
Australia remains resolute in supporting the good work of the ISA.
We agree with Prime Minister Modi that the ISA can bring transformational benefits for all of humanity.
And we recognise that such transformation can only be achieved by working together through the ISA to ensure everyone has access to solar energy.
Thank you.