Situation Analysis - Off-Grid systems in Maharashtra and Odisha

CHAPTER 5 THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR OFF-GRID

5.4 Off-grid electrification

5.4.2 Situation Analysis - Off-Grid systems in Maharashtra and Odisha

Operations identified in Prayas Energy Group (2014)’s DRE map and from selected off-grid operators were analysed to provide some insight on off-grid penetration in Maharashtra and Odisha. The analysis also incorporated information on DRE operations from state off-grid agencies, MEDA and OREDA, as discussed in Section 5.2.

Maharashtra

MEDA’s Remote Village Electrification Scheme has delivered SHS to 343 villages and 704 hamlets since 2005 (pers. comm., MEDA, 23 March 2017). Under the scheme, MEDA’s objective has been to provide systems to all un-electrified remote census villages and hamlets, and provides the systems (and ongoing maintenance) free of charge to households. The list of villages and hamlets to be targeted by MEDA is determined by MSEDCL, who certifies that such locations will not be electrified by the central grid within five years. MEDA has been involved in limited micro-grid implementations in two “model villages”, but prefers SHS as a cost-effective way to meet electrification targets (pers. comm., MEDA, 23 March 2017).

Turning to the private sector’s implementation of off-grid systems in Maharashtra, the location data is presented in Table 5.7. Prayas Energy Group’s map does not reveal any DRE systems in the state, but five systems were identified from Gram Oorja. Four of these locations were able to be located on the census database, with the exception being Darewadi, as discussed in Section 4.5.1. All five were locatable on Google Maps, mostly adjacent to villages in less remote areas (with one location adjacent to a wildlife sanctuary). Gram Oorja’s off-grid operations were conducted in partnership with a range of solar photovoltaic suppliers, including Bosch and Panasonic (Gram Oorja, 2016).

Odisha

The Remote Village Electrification Program administered by OREDA has been operating since 2006. OREDA reported that up to August 2015, 1621 villages had been electrified through its program, mainly via SHS, with some DRE mini-grids installed in high-density villages (pers.

comm., OREDA, 28 March 2017). While the systems are installed at no cost to the consumer, tariffs are collected from households (via a village account) at ₹30/month that contribute to an ongoing maintenance scheme. Remote, hilly locations, often surrounded by conservation zones, constitute the typical sites where the Remote Village Electrification Program is implemented. Site selection is undertaken jointly by OREDA and the distribution companies.

Notably, OREDA has a fledgling livelihood program which it is implementing in selected villages.

This aims to create support ecosystems, to promote income-generating uses of the electricity provided by OREDA’s systems.

Importantly, villages and hamlets where MEDA and OREDA have implemented off-grid systems are considered fully electrified by the DDUGJY and all levels of government, even though the electrification technology is generally limited to SHS and solar street lighting. Overall, OREDA has implemented more off-grid systems than MEDA, due in part to the greater electrification challenge in Odisha, and also due to the large conservation and Naxal-controlled areas in the state. OREDA also appears to have a more nuanced approach to off-grid electricity use through its livelihood program.

Prayas Energy Group’s map showed 33 DRE operations in Odisha, with the majority operated by OREDA and the Odisha forestry department (Table 5.8). The map revealed 13 of the systems were operated by local NGOs. In analysing site locations on Google Maps, Odisha’s DRE locations were either within or adjacent to forest reserves or wildlife sanctuaries. Non-census villages make up only two locations in the off-grid list examined. Thus it seems that the private sector (including NGOs) has located off-grid systems regardless of the potential for

government-provided electricity (in census villages). Interestingly, there are no sites where government and private systems are co-located. This is despite the fact that MNRE, MEDA and OREDA all commented that they do not have a comprehensive understanding of the locations and types of off-grid systems provided by the private sector. Singh (2016) further contributed by determining that the extent of the (present or planned) grid did not inhibit the market for off-grid solar technologies. The unreliability of off-grid electricity may be a key factor, with the perceived reliability of off-grid solutions creating market opportunities, even when the grid is present.

Source State District Gram Oorja Maharashtra Thane (now Palghar) Jawhar (7 tribal

hamlets)

Gram Oorja Solar 38 210

(30 / hamlet)

No, hamlets within city limits Yes

Gram Oorja Maharashtra Thane (now Palghar) Jawhar (2 villages - Songiripada &

Vazarepada)

Gram Oorja Solar 6 38 No, villages within city limits Yes

Gram Oorja Maharashtra Thane (now Palghar) Jawhar (Vanvasipada

hamlet) Gram Oorja Solar 9 39 No, villages within city limits Yes Gram Oorja Maharashtra Nandurbar Bhamane Gram Oorja Solar &

Micro hydro

8 32 Remote, adjacent to Toranmal Wildlife Sanctuary

Yes

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Mayurbhanj Bhalupani

(Bhadupani) Sambandha, Mayurbhanj Biomass

gasifier 10 NA Gorumahisani Mountain Range Yes Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Cuttak Kandhal OPMDC, Cuttack (with

OREDA)

Biomass

gasifier 10 143 Hindol-Badaman Forest Range Yes Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Nayagarh Jamuganda READ Foundation,

Bhubaneshwar Biomass

gasifier 10 NA Khakkikote Forest Yes Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Kandhamal Ganiapada

(Ganipada) OREDA Solar NA NA Remote, but not in a forest Yes

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Kalahandi Bijapada (Bijapati) Gram Vikas Micro

hydro 15 NA Remote, but not in a forest Yes Prayas Energy

Group

Odisha Nuapada Bhojpurighati OREDA Solar NA NA Not remote, adjacent to main

road

Non-census village Table 5.7 Analysis of off-grid (DRE) systems operating in Maharashtra and Odisha

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Nuapada (Komna) Palasipani OREDA Solar NA NA Not remote, not forest Yes

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Nuapada (Komna) Makhapathar

(Makhapadar) OREDA Solar NA NA Not remote, not forest Yes

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Nuapada (Komna) Anupgarh OREDA Solar NA NA Remote, but not in a forest Yes

Prayas Energy

Group Odisha Nuapada (Komna) Matiapathar

(Matiapadar) OREDA Solar NA NA Remote, but not in a forest Yes

Group Odisha Kalahandi (Thuamul Rampur)

Purna Guma

(Purunaguma) Gram Vikas Micro

hydro 13 NA Karlapat Wild Life Sanctuary Yes Prayas Energy