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Availabilty of energy still remains a challenge for rural India. Approximately, 70% of India’s population or 700 million people live in rural areas and meeting their energy requirements is the biggest challenge faced by the states. This is especially true because of the rural population’s low purchasing power as also its limited access to far flung villages through the grid. Electricity is needed for a wide variety of activities—lighting, entertainment, irrigation, etc. However, although 86% of Indian villages have been electrified only 48% of rural households actually use electricity for lighting.

Through this portal, an attempt has been made by TERI to share knowledge on how renewable sources of energy can help in rural settings. This section contains information on renewable technologies which can be used in rural areas. Energy sources like solar photovoltaics, bio-gasifiers, micro hydro plant and bio fuels are vividly explained for people to make use of them in their livelihood. It is an attempt to make people aware of these alternate sources of energy and how a planned effort can bring about a viable solution to the energy situation in their areas.

Solar photovoltaics have a higher captial cost but a planned effort using the right components and availing existing subsidy can make it an interesting option since the operating or monthly cost is drastically reduced due to low maintenance and no charges from the Sun! Use of biomass gasifiers is an example of how a community can come together to solve their energy requirements and in the longer run provide or sell their surplus to others, Knowledge on bio fuels is provided to make people aware on the energy solutions of the future and how it can a profitable investment for farmers in the days to come. Information is available on types of financing available, structure of proposal and how to conduct a village energy planning exercise.

Several solar products are also showcased for people to buy and use in their everyday life.

Role of PRI's

The enactment of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 (hereafter the Act), revitalized the PRIs, and the process of transfer of power to local bodies at the grass-roots level took concrete form.

Twenty-nine subjects identified in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution have been transferred to the PRIs. The Eleventh Schedule categorically states that PRIs must be directly involved in and responsible for
(a) the transfer of rural electrification, including electricity distribution in the panchayats, and
(b) the promotion of usage of non-conventional energy sources in the panchayats.

To quote the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, devolution of powers in provision of rural electrification and promotion of usage of renewable sources empowers the PRIs as follows.

Power to spend money
Power to collect money
Discretion in spending money
Power to hire, fire, and control staff
Direct accountability