Smart Power Connect | August 2021

India has made significant strides in achieving widespread electrification, connecting more than 750 million people over the last two decades. However, the electric power consumed per capita in India is 75% less than average per capita electricity consumption globally, and the number is even lower in rural India. Many parts of the country continue to struggle with poor quality of electricity supply and frequent power outages.

Insufficient access to reliable electricity affects not only quality of life for millions of people living in rural India but also their agricultural and industrial productivity. Further, Covid-19, and the second wave that hit India in 2021, has had a profound effect on rural communities with job losses, inadequate supplies of essential goods, and a breakdown of the health infrastructure. Access to reliable electricity became even more critical in the pandemic due to its tie to other sectors like healthcare, education, and livelihood.

This issue of Smart Power India’s Smart Power Connect highlights inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs generating employment in their communities, insights from DRE work across India, Myanmar and Puerto Rico, SPI’s work with partners to respond to the challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic and more.