Workshop on "Energy Plus Framework and Rural Electrification for Universal Energy Access"

With support from and in collaboration with the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD), TERI attempted to analyse the rural electrification programme in India, with a special focus on the co-benefits and productive use of electricity in line with the 'Energy Plus' framework. The research project also attempted to identify key factors that contribute towards the success of or limit India's rural electrification policies and programmes; and their implementation in enhancing electricity access, creating economic and income generation opportunities to improve local income levels and alleviate poverty. The findings from the study indicate that electricity alone may not bring in the desired benefits. It is also essential to channelize both electricity and non-energy inputs, through synergistically aligned development programs to get full benefits of electricity provision. The study also shows that channelizing non-energy inputs through effective local institutions and partnerships accelerates the process of income augmentation through the productive use of electricity.

TERI is organizing a workshop share the findings of the study and discuss the importance of the need for an "Energy Plus" approach and how it can be initiated into existing processes and programmes. The workshop will be attended by leading experts in policy, implementation and project design, who will share recent trends, experiences and lessons learnt from off-grid as well as on grid rural electrification programmes.

The wider objectives of the workshop are:

• To share findings from the GNESD-TERI study;
• To build consensus on inputs that are essential to enable sustainable electricity access in rural India;
• To aggregate learning from the workshop and share with the stakeholders in India and abroad; and
• To catalyse policy coherence and coordination for effective electricity access in rural India