Govt To Launch Scheme For Livelihood Applications Of Distributed Renewable Energy: RK Singh

The Centre is coming out with a new scheme for distributed applications of renewable energy (RE). There is already major work happening on the ground and our scheme could benefit lakhs of families across the country, said Union Power Minister RK Singh.

While speaking at national summit on powering sustainable livelihoods, he said that government will, however, need large scale-manufacturing and standardising of distributed applications of RE to lower prices and expand the sector. 

"We have seen the potential of grid-scale solar power; India will scale up distributed applications of renewable energy for livelihoods. Just like we have a large programme on rooftop solar and solar irrigation, we will create a large programme for DRE livelihoods,” said Singh.

He added that the government plans to make DRE livelihood equipment affordable. One aspect of this will be tying up with banks. 

"If a family wants to own a solar dryer, they should be able to get financing from the banks– we will work towards it. Manufacturers and users of DRE for livelihoods are pioneers and now the government will scale it up to the next level,” he added. 

Singh released also two new reports by CEEW and Villgro, which show that clean technologies have the potential to impact 37 million livelihoods in India's agriculture and textile sectors and translate into a market opportunity worth almost Rs 4 lakh crore. 

Further, 70 per cent of women and farmers using clean technology reported an income increase, typically by 35 per cent. 

They use clean-energy powered products such as solar-powered silk reeling machines, multi-food processors, micro solar pumps, solar vertical fodder grow units, among others, to enhance and diversify their income.