New Delhi, 29 July (Mayank Nigam) Concerned with the global warming, a burning issue, Senior Programme Associate WRI (World Resources Institute) India Climate Programme Mani Bhushan Jha stressed the need for adopting solar-driven equipments to conserve environment and for sustainable growth. Addressing a Solar Sabha’ organised here on Friday by ‘Bolega Bihar,’ a programme committed to building awareness regarding clean energy transition and to discuss energy solutions at a macro and micro level, Jha highlighted the benefits of decentralized renewable energy solutions. He said, “DRE is critical for Bihar’s Climate Resilience and Low Carbon Development which at the same time also creates livelihood opportunities for the women.
Given the population density and the land scarcity, innovative solutions like rooftop solar, solar trees in the farms, and community-owned cold storage powered by DRE will be significant for Bihar’s Climate goals and for generating green jobs. However, it is important that the future climate projections are included while designing any DRE project to make the solutions climate resilient.” He said use of solar-driven types of equipment like papad-making machines, other food processing types of equipment, solar sewing machines, silk reeling machines, solar micro pumps, and solar refrigerators enhance income due to reduced power bills. It also reduces physical labour and the women can carry out their business with ease and create sustainable income generation opportunities by making the entrepreneurs self-dependent towards use of power.” Multiple stakeholders from the solar and DRE (Decentralized renewable energy) ecosystem and hundreds of women entrepreneurs attended the ‘Solar Sabha’ and discussed energy solutions at a macro and micro level.
The event emphasised the vital role of women entrepreneurs in effectively utilising renewable resources to meet the rising energy demand in an environment-friendly way. Programme associate, powering livelihoods, CEEW Divya Gaur said, “Promoting Decentralised Renewable Energy as a central focus in women’s socio-economic development empowers them through access to reliable, clean energy for local economic opportunities, fostering micro-entrepreneurship. These technologies not only increase income but also enhance productivity, reduce drudgery, save time and energy. Prioritizing women and leveraging their competence to drive community-level change, such as in Bihar, will ensure a just and inclusive clean energy transition, where no one is left behind.”
The event proved to be an ideal platform for cross-engagement with women who took part in live discussions with civic administrators and decision-makers to share innovative ideas and discuss the use of renewable energy for household and entrepreneurial purposes. The event also facilitated their understanding of new solar products, with arranged demos,” said Deepti Ojha Senior campaigner, Bolega Bihar. The discussions also highlighted the remarkable potential of the solar and DRE systems to uplift the lives of women and families and called for a programme effort to ensure better services and new policies to bring positive change in the renewable energy sector. Various women leaders shared their journey through the transformative solar energy campaign.