The Government of India’s e-governance service segment – CSC has reportedly announced an alliance with Indian electric utility firm – Tata Power to establish solar-based micro grids along with water pumps in rural regions of the country. Initially, Tata Power aims at setting up nearly 10,000 micro grids to support rural users through the Common Service Centers.
Dinesh Tyagi, Managing Director, CSC e-Governance Services India, was reportedly quoted stating that the collaboration will magnify the government’s prevailing campaign to offer sustainable energy to businesses and households across rural areas.
Tyagi added that the partnership will enhance the access to energy and offer economic opportunity to the firms by extending microgrid or off-grid power. This will in turn help rural clients to move away from using expensive fuels like kerosene and can provide energy services and meet the economic needs requirements, he mentioned.
Notably, as per the agreement, more than 3.75 lakh CSCs are expected to be involved in providing solar water pumps to the farmers and assist in establishing micro grids across commercial and residential establishments in the rural regions.
In addition to the above, the partnership is likely to create employment to minimum two people in each panchayat where microgrids are likely to be installed, further leading to the generation of nearly 20,000 jobs for the rural youth.
Sanjay Kumar Rajesh, CEO of CSC also claimed that the partnership with Tata Power will help offer rural enterprises and farmers with sustainable energy solutions and will not only generate new employment opportunities for Village Level Entrepreneurs but also provide Tata Power a hold over the potential rural market.
According to a press release the micro grids will be assisted by CSC CLEs at the ground level. These VLEs will help in extending connection to the rural population, including the MSME units for commercial needs. The energy available through these units will be cost-effective, decentralized, qualitatively better and services by the local entrepreneur.
Source Credit: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/csc-tata-power-to-set-up-10000-solar-micro-grids-in-rural-areas/82093875