Ashish Khanna selected as director general of International Solar Alliance, ET EnergyWorld

New Delhi: The seventh session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi appointed Ashish Khanna from India as the new Director General, succeeding Dr. Ajay Mathur. Khanna was selected from a pool of candidates that included Wisdom Ahiataku — Togobo from Ghana and Gosaye Mengistie Abayneh from Ethiopia.

As Director General, Khanna will support the ISA Assembly in advancing its mandate, focusing on global solar energy deployment and assisting member countries in overcoming shared challenges. The outgoing Director General, Dr. Mathur, expressed confidence in Khanna’s abilities, stating, “Serving in this position has been an honour, and I am confident you will bring unique energy, vision, and passion to this office and role.”

During the selection process, candidates presented their visions for a solar energy-driven world. Khanna outlined a strategic shift in focus from ‘what’ to ‘how’, emphasizing the need for assistance in achieving solar energy goals. 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.”

Dr. Mathur, who has led the ISA since 2021, will conclude his tenure on March 14, 2025. Under his leadership, the ISA achieved significant milestones, increasing its membership to 103 countries and identifying 50 start-ups to aid solar energy advancement. His leadership led to the aggregation of 9.5 GW of project proposals and the completion of numerous feasibility studies in countries including Cuba, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh.

Key achievements during Dr. Mathur’s tenure included the training of over 900 professionals through the STAR-C initiative and the launch of the ISA’s Global Solar Facility to unlock $50 million in commercial capital for underserved regions. “I would like to be remembered as the Director General who provided some degree of direction for the globalisation of solar energies while in office at the Alliance,” he said, reflecting on his legacy.

• Published On Nov 4, 2024 at 05:15 PM IST

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