'One grid a reality provided technology becomes affordable':

The idea of 'One World, One Sun, One Grid' mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can become "a reality" provided technology for transmission of power becomes affordable, IIT-Madras Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi Thursday said.

Speaking to PTI, Ramamurthi said tracking the Sun requires one to bring power from over 1,000 km every hour.

"Today to ship solar power over 1,000 km using high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system, there is a certain cost, which is going down every year.

As HVDC becomes more affordable, this (one grid) will start becoming a reality and you can ship power," he said.

HVDC stands for high voltage direct current, an established technology used to transmit electricity over long distances by overhead transmission lines or submarine cables.

"Once you have it, you can ship any power, not just solar. The moment you are able to do it, people can even sell solar energy...the PM's idea is very visionary but it is not going to happen overnight," he said.

Stressing that India would generate 40 per cent of power from non-fossil fuels by 2030, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week had called for connecting solar energy supply across borders giving the mantra of 'One World, One Sun One Grid'.

"We have a dream One World, One Sun, One Grid. We generate round the clock electricity from the sun as it sets in one part of the world but rises in another part. Sun never sets for entire earth," Modi said addressing the first assembly of International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.