:: Rural Village Electrification

The program will, inter ally, cover the following activities: -

• Support for surveys and studies if required for firming up of State-wise lists of remote un electrified census villages or remote hamlets of electrified census villages; assessing the renewable energy sources available in the villages and energy requirements of the community; and, identification of appropriate technology options for electrification. Preparation of State-wise Master Plans using such techniques as GIS based mapping etc.
• Support for Installation of Power Plants based on solar energy, small hydro power, biomass, wind and other renewable energy sources; combination of renewable energy systems, or hybrid systems including a small contribution from Diesel or other fuels, if required; and, solar home systems, lighting and other systems for community purposes.
• Support for Training, institutional development, capacity building, development of maintenance services, etc.
• Support for Monitoring and evaluation of individual projects, or the program as a whole, including technical, operational, and socio-economic aspects, user feedback, impact assessment, etc., development of management information systems for proper coordination and monitoring , etc.
• Support for training and awareness program. Targeted at various categories of personnel, stakeholders' meeting / conference, etc.
• Support for development of remote village specific electricity generation systems and packages based on different non-conventional energy technologies.

Electrification of such un electrified remote census villages based on Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), GoI, New Delhi guidelines is the main objective of Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). The un electrified remote census villages which will not be electrified by conventional means by the end of the eleventh Plan (2012), as certified by the concerned Power Department / State Electricity Board, will be eligible for coverage under the program.To ensure effective operation, maintenance and sustainability of the projects, efforts are made to secure the participation of the local community from inception. Appropriate arrangements will be made for long term operation and maintenance, preferably for a period of 5 / 10 years, with a view to provide electricity supply for 3 to 4 hrs in remote villages and remote hamlets. A suitable Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for a minimum period of 5 / 10 years is included, which includes replacement of parts or components such as batteries, electronics, lamps, bulbs, etc. for securing proper and sustained energy supply services. The warranty and after-sales-service obligations will be strictly enforced. To ensure sustainability of the projects which for some reason are not covered by the 10 year AMC as above, revenue generation from beneficiaries is be made mandatory through collection of user charges (approximately Rs. 20/-) upfront and / or on annual / monthly basis. The revenue so generated will be utilized for meeting the operation expenses or any other contingent expenditure. It will also be utilized towards maintenance and repair expenses or replacement of parts and components, after the expiry of the AMC.

Central Financial Assistance (CFA) up to 70% of the cost of the projects is provided as grant for electrification of remote un electrified census villages and remote hamlets of electrified census villages under this program, with specific benchmarks as applicable in respect of the technologies adopted for electrification. The balance 30% cost of projects for remote village and remote hamlets Electrification can be financed through sources such as State Govt. PMGY, MNP, RIDF, Ministry of Tribal Affair, MPLAD / MLA LAD and the corporate sectors. The implementing agencies is free to raise funds from these and other sources, such as REC, PFC, etc., including users to meet their share of cost of the project.

Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) being State Nodal Agency is implementing the RVE program in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MAHADISCOM) earlier MSEB has forwarded MEDA the list of un-electrified villages. MEDA carry out survey of such villages departmentally or with the help of consultant of these field and forwarded Detailed Project Reports (DPR) to Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), GoI, New Delhi for Central Finance Assistance and to State Government for the provision of balance funds. The projects are implemented through tendering after receipt of sanction. The brief information on the technology adopted / proposed for the electrification at sanctioned villages is as under;

SPV DOMESTIC LIGHTING SYSTEM:

The system comprises 2 or 4 nos. of 9W CFL of high luminous efficiency (light output equivalent to a 60W incandescent lamp) with built-in inverter, SPV Panel, charge controller, storage battery & indoor luminaries. SPV Community systems are suitable for powering lamps and a D.C fan (of 20 watts capacity).

SPV STREET LIGHTING SYSTEM:

System with 11 W Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) has the unique feature of switching 'ON' at dusk and 'OFF' at dawn automatically. The system comprises SPV Panel, battery and luminaries fittings mounted suitably on a pole.

SPV POWER PLANT:

Conversion of Solar Energy into Electrical Energy is called Solar Photovoltaic Energy. The main component of this plant are Solar Photovoltaic modules, Inverter, Battery, Electronics controls, Control room, Transmission and Distribution systems, poles for Street lighting, Compact Fluorescent Tubes (CFL) of 11 watts used in households and in street lighting. The electricity is stored in battery bank through the Solar Photovoltaic panels of the required capacity. The individuals then use the stored / generated electricity transmitted through inverter, Transmission and Distribution line, poles and CFL of 11 watts.

Click here to view achivement.

Click here to see List of villages electrified up 31/10/2012. (MNRE Norms and policy).

Rural Village Electrification State Policy.