India: Ashish Kanna Elected International Solar Alliance Director-General

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has elected Mr Ashish Khanna, an Indian, as its third Director-General.

Ashish Kanna who is the President of Renewables at Tata Power, beat Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo and Gosaye Mengistie Abayneh from Ghana and Ethiopia respectively.

Khanna will succeed the current Director-General, Ajay Mathur, whose tenure of office ends in March 2025.

In a speech, Mr Khanna articulated his vision for the ISA, emphasising a shift from focusing on ‘what’ to ‘how’.

“Most countries are aware of what needs to be done, but require assistance in reaching those goals,” Khanna stated, highlighting the importance of actionable strategies to broaden ISA’s impact.

He remarked, “The Alliance will benefit from participating in international fora where the motivation should be twofold to explore collaborations, work together and learn from each other’s experiences.”

Mr Khanna has more than three decades of rich experience in areas of renewables, utility, infrastructure, project management and contracts in both India and abroad.

Mr Khanna is an authority in the renewable industry.

Due to his vast knowledge and industry insights, he provides inputs to the government and regulatory bodies which help in formulating progressive policies for the renewable industry. He is admired for his strategic thinking and commitment for execution excellence.

The ISA, an international organisation with 120 member and signatory countries, works collaboratively with governments to enhance energy access and security worldwide while promoting solar power as a key component in the global transition to a carbon-neutral future.

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, underlined the critical role ISA plays in mobilising resources and facilitating solar energy projects, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

“I’m proud to state that ISA has successfully completed 21 out of 27 demonstration projects, showcasing our collective ability to make significant strides in solar energy deployment and support sustainable development across the globe. These successful projects are a testament to our shared commitment and dedication,” Joshi said.

The Director-General of ISA has a vital role in assisting the Assembly in advancing the organisation’s mandate. This involves supporting member countries in overcoming shared challenges and coordinating efforts to scale up the deployment of solar energy worldwide.

The outgoing Director-General, Ajay Mathur, congratulated Khanna on his election and highlighted his significant accomplishments during his tenure, including the remarkable increase in ISA’s member and signatory countries, now totalling 103 and 17, respectively.

Mathur’s leadership also saw the completion and successful launch of numerous demonstration projects and the identification of 50 start-ups poised to energise their respective nations’ solar energy progress.

Mathur, who has led the ISA since 2021, will complete his tenure on 14th March 2025. Reflecting on his achievements, he expressed optimism about the future and confidence in Khanna’s ability to continue driving ISA’s mission forward.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com