Interview with Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA): “Chile has a unique opportunity to lead the solar revolution in Latin America”
What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and what is its role in Latin America and the Caribbean?
The ISA is a multilateral initiative that today brings together 124 member countries, with a strong focus on the Global South. Headquartered in India, the Alliance aims to accelerate access to clean and affordable solar energy, particularly in developing countries. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we already have 26 member countries, representing a major opportunity to work together toward a just and sustainable energy transition.
Why was Chile chosen to host this seventh Regional Committee Meeting?
Although the Regional Committee is chaired by Grenada, Chile plays a strategic role in the region due to its leadership in green hydrogen and critical minerals for the energy transition. Its experience and commitment to clean energy make it a benchmark in Latin America.
How does ISA address the diverse challenges across the region?
The region is highly diverse and requires tailored approaches. For example, many Caribbean countries rely heavily on costly fossil fuels such as fuel oil, which can account for up to 7% of their GDP. Others, such as Central American countries, have strong solar potential but lack regional interconnections. Then there are regional leaders like Brazil and Chile, who have advanced solar programs but need to strengthen energy storage. In all of these contexts, the key is to attract more private sector investment.
What is currently hindering private investment in solar energy in Latin America?
Last year, of the USD 2.2 trillion invested globally in the energy transition, less than 15% went to developing countries. Our task is to understand the barriers —in Chile, for instance— that prevent global players like pension funds from investing more. It’s also essential to support youth entrepreneurship and digitalization, which are key drivers of this transformation.
What concrete initiatives is ISA promoting in the region?
We are implementing several strategies. One of the most exciting is SolarX, an innovation competition for young people and startups in Latin America and the Caribbean. We will select 15 disruptive ideas and provide them with funding and access to mentorship and venture capital networks. We’ve already supported more than 50 startups in Africa, Asia, and India, and we aim to integrate at least 15 companies from this region into the ecosystem.
We’re also promoting the use of digital procurement platforms, which have already helped reduce the cost of solar projects by up to 60% in other regions. Bringing these tools to Latin America could be a game changer.
What role does international cooperation play in this process?
It is fundamental. For example, island nations in the Caribbean share similar challenges with countries in the Pacific. Recently, in Colombo, five Pacific countries signed an agreement to move away from diesel and towards joint clean energy procurement. This kind of cross-regional collaboration is exactly what we aim to promote.
What do you hope to achieve with this regional meeting in Santiago?
Our motto is “from ambition to action.” We don’t just want to produce reports —we want to support the implementation of real, effective solutions. Chile and Brazil —which will hold the COP30 presidency— have the potential to lead a regional energy transformation grounded in technology, entrepreneurship, and the smart use of their resources.
Will there be a space for media engagement during the event?
Absolutely. We will host a press conference where we’ll present our initiatives, answer questions, and share key takeaways. We want the media to become strategic allies in communicating this transformative agenda.
Final message for Chile and Latin America
The future of economic competitiveness is deeply tied to clean energy and technology. Invest in it. Empower your youth. And take ownership of your own sustainable development.