Smart Power India (SPI) recently started operations at a mini-grid at Laxmanpur in Uttar Pradesh, marking its 500th installation in India.
The total portfolio of SPI now stands at 15.1 mw, generating renewable energy for the rural masses. With this achievement, SPI and its ESCO (energy saving company) partners are now credited with the distinction of having the world’s largest portfolio of mini-grids, a release from SPI said.
A subsidiary of The Rockfeller Foundation, Smart Power India has been working in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for the last six years towards ensuring equitable energy access to the last mile.
As on date, the program impacts half a billion rural lives. It has partnered with 13 developers, including Tata Power Renewable Microgrid (TPRMG), Husk Power, OMC Power, Tara Urja, and MLINDA, a release from SPI said.
What is a mini-grid?
A mini-grid is an off-grid electricity distribution network involving small-scale electricity generation. A mini-grid is sometimes defined as having a power rating less than 11kW and as being disconnected from utility-scale grids.
Also See: Exclusive interview with Jaideep Mukherjee, CEO, Smart Power India (Sep-2020)
Supporting GoI initiatives
Commenting on the addition of the 500th mini-grid, Jaideep Mukherjee, CEO, Smart Power India, said, “We proudly support the Government of India’s initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat with our Micro-Enterprise Development (MED) program where we work towards providing last-mile electricity for productive uses in rural India. We are glad to partner with such enterprising ESCOs in achieving this historical milestone. Access to reliable energy is the base for the development of any economy. and we continue to support our partners in achieving the same.
Global Energy Alliance
On November 2, 2021, SPI, as part of the Rockefeller Foundation, announced the creation of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, a multi-stakeholder platform to enable equitable access to energy across the globe. The objective behind this was to work collaboratively with stakeholders to increase access to reliable energy, economic development, and clean energy, not just in India but on a global scale.
Featured photograph for representation only
