SOLOMON Islands is keen on capacity-building following its signing and ratification of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework last year.
Joshua Wycliffe of ISA confirmed this interest when answering the question of Solomon Star reporter at the ISA headquarters in New Delhi, India, on Monday.
The writer is among 23 journalists from the Indo-Pacific region who were invited by India’s Ministry of External Affairs for a familiarization visit from August 18 to 27.
The participating journalists represent Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Lao PDR.
Unfortunately, journalists from Brunei, Micronesia, Tonga, Somalia, Djibouti, and Timor-Leste were unable to attend.
Mr Wycliffe said Solomon Islands is focused on enhancing its solar capacity.
“We install solar systems and need to ensure regular maintenance,” he said.
“Thus, we are working on building the capacity of local personnel involved in solar energy.”
He said efforts are being directed toward communities in Solomon Islands and expressed hope that tangible results would emerge this year.
Additionally, Mr Wycliffe highlighted that ISA is prepared to provide USD $250,000 per country to establish strategic centers for training individuals in solar panel technology.
Solomon Islands is one of 119 countries that have signed the ISA Framework Agreement and one of 99 that have ratified it.
ISA is an expanding international organization dedicated to improving global energy access, security, and transition by delivering cleaner electricity worldwide by 2030.
ISA supports governments in promoting solar energy as a sustainable, affordable and resilient pathway to a carbon-neutral future.
ISA’s work centers on three strategic priorities: Analytics and Advocacy, Capacity Building, and Programmatic Support.
Its vision is “Let us together make the sun brighter,” and its mission is “Every home, no matter how remote, will have a light at home.”
By EDDIE OSIFELO
In New Delhi, India
Some of the journalists of Indo-Pacific that attend the briefing of Joshua Wycliffe of International Solar Alliance at its headquarters in New Delhi, India, on Monday
