Background

As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India’s energy demands have risen to match its burgeoning growth. To address this rising need for energy, the nation has made significant advances in clean energy, which presents a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. However, as it is with most such advances, underserved and marginalized communities in both urban and rural areas have remained on the sidelines. According to the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), nearly 20% of India households have inconsistent or no electricity, 93% of whom reside in rural areas. A lack of electricity can have implications ranging from disruptions in education and learning, to issues in healthcare or economic opportunities. 

Given this existing disparity in access to electricity, we can predict that the onrushing climate crisis will most likely deepen disparities in access. Further, as the nation turns to cleaner sustainable or renewable energy, it will be imperative to account for the needs of this rural population that is already battling the effects of having little to no energy. This is compounded by a lack of awareness of renewable energy, which keeps rural communities from creating self-reliant systems of energy distribution. As such, Tier-I aims to uplift these communities who are both deeply impacted by the lack of clean energy and let out of the conversations and solutions around energy reform.