Abstract
Providing basic minimum energy services has become a real challenge for developing countries of the world. India encounters the problem of provisioning basic minimum electricity services to a section of her population. Renewable energy-based decentralised systems have emerged as a viable electrification option for many developing countries of the world, particularly for rural and remote areas of the country. This study explores the replication and scaling-up of potential of such mini-grids in the least electrified states of India by considering a set of evaluation criteria i.e. grid-extension option, renewable energy resource potential, electrification rate, organisational strength, presence or absence of technical support system, and ease of access to banking services. Overall rankings suggest that top 20% districts offer good business potential for private investors to venture into the mini-grid market. However, the concern lies with the districts placed at the bottom, which require specific government interventions through appropriate policy, regulatory and financial support.
Highlights
Electricity is one of the fundamental inputs for the development of any country, and it is one of the crucial parameters of socio-economic development of any nation
This study explores the replication and scaling-up of potential of such mini-grids in the least electrified states of India by considering a set of evaluation criteria i.e. grid-extension option, renewable energy resource potential, electrification rate, organisational strength, presence or absence of technical support system, and ease of access to banking services
The aim of the paper is to assess the feasibility of scaling-up of mini-grids in India based on a set of criteria such as grid-extension option, electrification rate, organisational strength, resource potential, ease of access to banking services, and presence of technical supporting system
Summary
Electricity is one of the fundamental inputs for the development of any country, and it is one of the crucial parameters of socio-economic development of any nation. Within South Asia, 306 million people only in India lack access to electricity [1]. Providing basic minimum energy services has become a real challenge for countries like India [2]. Renewable energy has emerged as an effective alternative route to provide electricity to all [1]. UN’s SE4ALL is a clear manifestation of the recent thrust on renewable energy as a viable alternative to the grid-based centralised electricity supply system, with its specific emphasis on renewable energy-based decentralised energy options. Mini-grids have emerged as cost effective, technologically suitable, and more sustainable option to provide electricity access to remote areas of a country [3]. Exploring the feasibility of mini-grid type of interventions is a valuable exercise to ascertain as to what extent these interventions could serve as a viable alternative to the prevailing centralised electricity supply system.
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