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IRENet HISTORY

In recent times, NGOs have been playing an important role in development activities across the world. India too has numerous NGOs in all the states involved in diverse activities, independently and in collaboration. One example is the National Biogas Development project, which has operational collaboration with NGOs since 1981. AFPRO (Action for Food Production) played a key role in this initiative and implemented the Biogas Plant Construction and Maintenance Program throughout the country. CHF Canada (currently called PARTNERS) offered opportunities to the NGO sector through financial support, thus fully utilizing the potential benefits of NGO collaboration. Under this partnership, a number of aims were achieved, which included:

  • 90,000 rural families given access to biogas plants
  • Installation and maintenance structures established within the national network
  • Funds leveraged for biomass promotion
  • Positive impact seen on the daily lives of rural people, especially women
  • Increase in technical capacity of the network
IRENet has emerged from the former Biogas Phase II project (then called the AFPRO-CHF Biogas Network), and is formed from 52 NGOs in 13 states. IRENet is the principal collaborating agency in India for CIREP (Canada-India Rural Energy Project) set up to provide technical and other assistance to IRENet in its formation, development and activities.

IRENet's identity is reflected in the articulation of its ideal, mission and objectives.

IRENet's Ideal: A green clean and healthy India, harnessing alternative sources for energy self-sufficiency.

IRENet's Mission: IRENet is a national association of voluntary organizations that encourages and facilitates the empowerment and cooperation of its members to meet the energy needs of the rural poor and disadvantaged and to contribute to sustainable development of communities and environment in India and the world.

IRENet's long-term objectives are to:

  • Promote Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) and other sustainable solutions to address the rural energy crisis in India
  • Develop the capacity of member organizations and to be leaders of change in the energy sector at all levels in India
  • Gain popular, governmental and institutional acceptance and support for the application of RETs as the energy source of choice in rural India
  • Help to develop and strengthen an international network committed to the promotion of alternative energy and contributing to the development of healthy, environment-friendly societies.
IRENet is a new organization by name only - members of this network have collaborated for more than 15 years, and thus possess good understanding of RE programs in India.

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POLICY

Energy and development

Both NGOs and the government have the tendency to look at energy in isolation from other development goals, preventing integrative programs that can capture the benefits of coordinated action at the energy, health, transport, education, sanitation and other levels.

ENERGY PROJECTS
Energy consumption in many rural areas of developing countries is well below subsistence level, and barely covers the cooking, heating and illumination needs of rural dwellers. The situation therefore merits special policies to slow down the current inequitable circumstances.

The "Food security-Energy" nexus must be assessed in order to identify the best technological and economic strategies. Energy efficiency, conscientious natural resource management and social participation, will provide this niche. Each step in the food production chain requires energy in a liquid, solid or gaseous form, or in the final form of mechanical, electrical or chemical energy. The integration of energy policies with food security policies will yield sustainable results.

The role of women and children in the collection and use of energy in rural areas, such as collecting fuel which entails high levels of human drudgery and health implications, must be prominent on any rural energy development agenda.

TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES
A transition toward renewable energy utilization, when proven that these offer the best alternative from a socioeconomic and environmental point of view, should be promoted. Though rural areas have the right to use all conventional energy resources, policies should facilitate transition to technological leapfrogging, highlighting benefits.

Present energy production and consumption patterns in rural areas show how biomass is used in an inefficient and sometimes unsustainable manner. Upgrading this use, including agricultural, forestry and livestock residues and energy plantations, will provide new job opportunities, environmental benefits and enhanced rural infrastructure, and achieve rural sustainability.

Mobilizing a new energy development agenda in rural areas requires time, human resources and technical assistance to gain effective participation from beneficiaries. New energy programs for sustainable rural development must be promoted based on sound planning and preparation of human and technical backstopping resources.

Promotion of bioenergy, solar and wind, the most relevant renewable energies for rural applications, must be emphasized because of their local availability, adaptability to dispersed, small and medium-scale energy requirements, reliability and environmental friendliness. This includes reinvigorating research, mobilizing information and communication, and conducting demonstration of renewable energy technologies as central to the energy agenda in rural areas.

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CASE STORY

Thulapally Micro-hydel: A GEF-supported Community-based Scheme

Situated in the northern part of Pathanamthitta district close to the borders of Kottayam and Idukki districts, Thulapally is a remote hamlet situated 80 km from the nearest railway station. Till recently, it did not even have a road. An initiative of Malanadu Development Society (MDS) with support from CAPART, however, changed things for the better with the construction of a 12-km road. MDS then focussed on the next most important development activity for the hamlet - access to electricity.

This is the case story of a community-based village microhydro scheme under which 2x10 KVA hydro generators were set up at a cost of Rs 10.80 lakh, of which Rs 8 lakh was supported by UNDP under GEF.

MDS assessed the local potential to generate electricity, instead of endlessly waiting for extension of the Kerala State Grid. It found that Thulapally had considerable microhydro potential which could be harnessed. This was conveyed to the hamlet populace and several rounds of discussions were held. The villagers were convinced of the excellent prospects that the microhydro schemes had. A local committee was set up for the implementation of the project. Several subcommittees were formed to cater to local micro needs, for organizing manpower, collecting material, etc. The Thulapally Micro-hydel project thus resulted from a joint initiative of MDS and the local community.

The most important aspect of this innovative scheme was community-based administration and management. A General Body of all power consumers was formed which became the policy framing authority. This Body elected a nine-member Executive Committee to look after the management and administration of the power project. The General Body also appointed a village electrician on a salary of Rs 1,500 for maintenance. Each consumer pays a monthly fee of Rs 50 for using four CFL lamps. Those possessing color TV sets pay Rs 25 more per month while those with Black-and-white TVs pay an additional Rs 15 per month over Rs 50.

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