Re-Powering Rural Dignity: Rural Transformation Through Energy Transition

Abstract

In the electric power discourse, rural India holds an undignified space. Non-payment for electricity consumption by rural households, free power for farmlands, power theft and pilferage, and the high cost of supplying to geographically dispersed rural load centres have been seen as a bane for the electric power system in India. Moreover, the organised demand for subsidised electricity in rural areas is alleged to be the root cause for a rising and unsustainable pattern of electricity-centred competitive populism. On the other hand, owing to these allegations, rural India is often deprived of a reliable electricity supply and the dignity of consumer service to the extent that electricity access has no meaningful impact on productivity and human well-being.

In this backdrop, this chapter argues that the ongoing transition in the electric power systems from fossil fuel to renewable energy is an opportunity to rethink rural energy demand and thus restore rural dignity in the nation’s growth discourse. The chapter suggests ways to harness renewable energy, particularly solar energy, and reliable access to electricity to boost rural productivity in farm and non-farm activities, diversify rural livelihoods, and thus, contribute to building a resilient rural India. It envisions dignified access to modern energy in rural India through the promotion of electric-powered on-farm value additions, expansion of non-farm activities, in ways that are sensitive to intersectional barriers, and the enhancement of rural energy demand and ability to pay for the cost of electricity.