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BASIX and CEED have formed a consortium with Greenpeace to
implement this project jointly with the help of the technical developer,
Kripa Solar. Once the project is completed, it will be managed by
BASIX Patna, who will be responsible to maintain and operate it.
Greenpeace will use this model to advocate
for further replication of such models in the
state and communicate to government and
policy makers to bring desired change in
policy to further multiply it.
What will be Greenpeace’s role once the
micro-grid is set up?
The objective of the micro-grid is also to discover a micro-grid
management and ownership model that is operationally and financially
sustainable. To create an environment that is conducive to large-scale
development of smart renewable energy-based micro-grids across
Bihar and the rest of India. Greenpeace will continue to campaign
towards this aim.
Greenpeace will also suggest a regulatory framework required
for scaling up this concept. We will continue to prod the Bihar
government to release a roadmap for upscaling and replicating the
Dharnai model.
On a functional level, the micro-grid in Dharnai has been setup by
Greenpeace and we will continue to oversee
the operations and maintenance of the
micro-grid for the next few years. Greenpeace
will be actively involved in the training of
community in Dharnai in the maintenance
and operation of the micro-grid. Once the
community is fully trained to handle the
micro-grid, a cooperative society will be
setup. After the quality benchmark and
fulfilling each and every legality, Greenpeace
and BASIX will exit out of the day-to-day
operations.
Why do you think people in Dharnai will accept the
micro-grid?
Dharnai has all the ingredients for a success story but lacks
access to energy that will drive the success. Having last seen
electricity in 1981 and since then running from pillar to post to get
an electricity line for their village, the micro-grid will be a game
changer for Dharnai residents.
Moreover, the residents have been spending thousands on unreliable
and expensive kerosene and diesel for their energy needs. With
How is it a community-driven project?
Dharnai micro-grid has been set up with all due permissions from the
gram sabha, panchayat and the people of Dharnai. Dharnai residents
have been involved in the project right from the start.
We have taken explicit care so that residents can make informed
choices. The community has been part of the awareness drive as well
the solar-powered micro-grid, they will get
regular and sustainable supply of electricity.
The tariffs have been fixed by the village
electrification committees and BASIX in
consultation with the residents of Dharnai.
It will be revised as per the mutual decision
taken by the VEC and operators.
as serious discussions about the tariff and
the working of the micro-grid. The tariffs were
in fact decided by the community itself after
mutual understanding and discussions.
The community is also part of the village
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MEDIA MANUAL | Micro-grid in Dharnai