Minister Solheim and his delegation were very impressed by the solar energy pilot project initiated by the Norwegian company Scatec and the Indian NGO Development Alternatives. The pilot has electrified two villages in Uttar Pradesh, and now Indo-Norwegian collaboration secures upscaling of the pilot project two to 30 villages at the cost of 2 million euros.
Minister Solheim talks with village leader Mr.Ghanshyam Yadav
Answer in the Sun
Minister Solheim was presented with the solar energy plant made in partnership between the companies Scatec Solar, Bergen Associates and Development Alternatives (NGO).
The minister underlined the importance of solar energy plants in the fight against climate change.
- This pilot-project will hopefully create economical growth without increasing CO2-emmissions, and we will now see how we can upscale this project to many other villages in India, the minister added.
Minister Solheim also visited the village school and gave them a picture book about Norway as a token of the school children’s new ability to read and study between sun set and sun raise.
Minister Solheim watches a the school computer which runs on solar energy
Symbolic Book
- You are our surgeon; because you opened our eyes and finally we can see in the dark, said the village leader Mr. Ghanshyam Yadav to the Norwegian delegation.
In his speech to the villagers of Rampura Minister Solheim honoured the children, and wished them a brighter future, both physically and mentally, with this electrifying project.
Minister Solheim also visited the local shop keeper Mr. Rama who also has installed solar energy light.
- We can now see and sell our products whenever someone needs something, that is liberating, he told.
The minister also stopped by the household of a lower income family who proudly showed their light point.
- Now our children can study when it’s dark outside, the mother said.
The Solar Energy project is easily understandable the illiterate.
Founder about the Future
The plant was inaugurated the 26th of January and per 5th February 27 of the 60
village houses had been electrified.
- India is maybe the best place to learn about electrifying of rural areas. Solar energy
can become very big here, thinks Alf Bjørseth, the founder of the Norwegian
company Scatec.
For the villagers it is voluntarily to get electricity, and the ones that want the service
have to pay a price for it, and the money goes to maintenance of the plant.
- We have not made money on the pilot project, but our goal is of course to make business. We will make some money on this, but naturally not a big fortune, underlines Mr. Bjørseth.
Mr. Alf Bjørseth talks to the villagers of Rampura
Dignitary Delegation
The Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Mr. Erik Solheim were accompanied by a delegation of over 20 people in the village. Among the representatives were senior advisors from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment and International Development, the environmental NGO Bellona, the Norwegian company Scatec and two Norwegian journalists from the daily Newspapers Dagsavisen and Nationen.
A dignitary delegation of 21 people had taken the trip to Rampura
More information about the up scaling HERE (Norwegian)
More information about the minister visit to India HERE
This pilot project costs approximately 2 million Euros to upscale. The goal is to electrify 30 villages for this cost. The Norwegian government will pay around two thirds of this bill, and the Indian government will pay one third of this bill.