Context
The spurt in economic and demographic growth in India has resulted in an average increase of 8 per cent per annum in energy consumption over the last ten years. Through initiatives like Ujjwala and Saubhagaya, the Government of India is making efforts to ensure supply of energy to every household in the country. In addition, to reduce dependence on fossil fuel resources and diversify energy sources, India also has set itself a target of having 175 gigawatts (GW) of installed renewable energy by 2022. However, the affordability, reliability and quality of energy is still an issue in rural India.
Decentralised renewables present an opportunity to contribute towards sustainable energy access for household consumers as well as for productive uses of energy. In addition, achieving overall energy security through decentralised sources, coupled with better planning would also reduce the burden on exchequer.
Objective
The energy supply in rural areas of selected federal states in India have been improved.
Approach
IGEN Access II seeks to upscale the proven results achieved in Phase I of the project. The project plans to deliver by adopting a holistic approach in overall planning by assisting the states in developing energy action plans, disseminating proven models and instruments for improving the basic energy supply and establishing a conceptual basis for enhancing the energy supply.
—Strategic energy planning: The project aims to achieve overall energy security in the states. Contribution from renewable energy, including the decentralised systems will be used as a strategic option in energy planning
—Proven models and instruments for improving basic energy supply are disseminated: Financial service providers will be supported to upscale the models and instruments to conclude new loan agreements with rural energy users. This will lead to improved supply situation in rural areas
—Conceptual basis is in place for improving energy supply quality: the programme will support planned advisory measures to create necessary enabling conditions.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the partner agency for IGEN Access II.