Tata Power brings technology and financial strength to set up the distributed, small-scale solar power systems in rural areas and provide round-the-clock power supply to households and businesses. CSC brings to the partnership village-level entrepreneurs to provide quick, low-cost service support.

To support rural consumers with distributed solar power supply, state-run e-governance service delivery arm CSC has collaborated with Tata Power to set up solar-powered microgrids and water pumps in rural areas across the country. To begin with, Tata Power would set up 10,000 microgrids through Common Service Centres (CSCs).

Speaking about the partnership, Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, CEO of CSC e-Governance Services India, said, “Energy production and consumption is changing at a fast pace. One emerging trend is shift from concentrated grid-scale systems to distributed, consumer-side production. In the future, every city and village is going to have power production plant for their consumption.

“While CSC brings to the partnership village-level entrepreneurs to provide such production centers with quick service support at low cost, Tata Power brings technology and financial strength to set up the systems and provide round-the-clock power supply to households and businesses in rural areas.”

As solar power can be generated only during the day-time, Tata Power will supplement these solar plants with battery storage to ensure continuous power supply. To ensure supply even on days when sun doesn’t shine, there will be a provision for coupling with diesel generator which will run on power from biogas plants.

Tata Power has started a pilot project in five villages of Lakhimpur district.

“This partnership will increase energy access and provide an economic opportunity to the company by providing off-grid or microgrid power. This will help rural customers move away from burning relatively expensive fuels such as kerosene and can provide basic energy services and meet economic needs,” Dinesh Tyagi, managing director, CSC e-Governance Services India, said in a statement.