Germany chairs pivotal ISA meeting in Brussels calling for united European leadership to boost global solar investment
The Sixth Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for Europe and the Others Region convened in Brussels, chaired by Germany in its role as Regional Vice President. This gathering brought together representatives from 20 countries across the region, alongside key international partners, to evaluate progress, align strategic priorities, and strengthen collaboration towards expanding global access to solar energy. The meeting was a pivotal platform to deepen regional engagement and contribute to shaping the next phase of ISA’s evolving global agenda.
In his opening address, Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, underscored the shared commitment to accelerating the global transition to solar energy. He stressed the need to ensure that progress translates into tangible benefits like job creation, equity, and climate resilience. Highlighting stark disparities in clean energy investment distribution, he revealed that nearly $2 trillion was invested globally last year with solar photovoltaics leading the investment share. However, only 15% of these funds reached low- and middle-income countries, with less than 2% allocated to Africa—home to 600 million people without electricity access and abundant solar potential. Khanna outlined ISA’s mobilisation of $200 million aimed at leveraging private investment in distributed renewable energy in Africa by supporting Centres of Excellence and providing technology and policy roadmaps across select countries.
The meeting was also marked by an emphatic call for strong European leadership and unity. Mr Tobias Rinke, Deputy Head of Division at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, highlighted the vital role of solar energy in meeting international climate targets agreed at COP28 in Dubai, including tripling renewable energy capacity and improving energy efficiency by 2030. He pointed to solar power’s dual capacity to cut greenhouse gas emissions and bolster energy security by reducing fossil fuel imports, alongside creating quality economic opportunities. Emphasising Europe’s strengths as a hub of innovation and financial capacity, Rinke affirmed Germany's commitment to working collaboratively with partners to develop a shared vision for advancing ISA’s mission.
Adding a layer of forward-looking technology perspective, a key dialogue was held between Ms Laura Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology, and Outlooks at the International Energy Agency (IEA), and Mr Khanna. Their discussion centred on the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming energy systems. Cozzi pointed out that while increasing AI-related electricity consumption—especially through data centres—poses challenges, AI offers unprecedented tools to improve grid efficiency and accelerate renewables integration, particularly solar. She highlighted the IEA’s launch of a new Energy and AI Observatory to monitor developments and promote AI’s practical applications in clean energy deployment.
Philanthropy’s evolving role in climate finance was explored in a fireside chat between Khanna and Ms Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). Hampton emphasised that the scarcity is not in debt capital but in catalytic or patient equity needed to unlock larger private investments. She cited philanthropy’s vital role in supporting technical assistance, policy engagement, and junior equity contributions, alongside addressing the shortage of skilled professionals to navigate the complex interplay of policy, finance, and project execution.
The keynote address by H.E. Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing at the European Commission, underscored solar power as a cornerstone solution to Europe’s energy and climate challenges. Highlighting an 82% drop in solar power costs within the EU over the past decade, and a further 12% global decline in 2023, Jørgensen framed solar as the fastest-growing and most cost-effective clean energy source today, critical to reducing fossil fuel dependency and enhancing economic competitiveness.
The meeting included thematic dialogues on catalytic finance for Africa, institutional strengthening through ISA initiatives such as STAR-Cs and Global Capability Centres, and focused discussions on digital transformation, AI, energy storage, and green hydrogen. These comprehensive sessions aimed to foster practical solutions to accelerate solar deployment and support broader energy transitions, both regionally and globally.
ISA’s broader mission, as established under its global framework, seeks to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy worldwide. This meeting thus represents a crucial step in reinforcing the alliance’s role as a collaborative platform shaping clean energy futures, particularly in regions with untapped solar potential.