Tripura Launches Solar Microgrid Initiative to Boost Rural Electrification

AGARTALA: In a major boost for rural electrification, Tripura has launched a project to provide solar microgrids in remote villages under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DEVINE) scheme. This project will provide energy to tribal communities residing in off-grid areas where conventional electricity supply is not available.

Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated that the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has installed 274 solar microgrids successfully that benefited 1,953 families.

The project has a total installed capacity of 3.04 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually, which accounts for a reduction of around 6,030.188 metric tons of carbon every year. The overall cost of the project is ₹81.02 crore, in which the central government funding is ₹80.79 crore.

The microgrids have been installed in various districts with Dhalai district having the maximum of 169 installations. The other districts are South Tripura (45), Gomati (44), North Tripura (10), Unakoti (3), and West Tripura (1).

The installation of solar lighting systems in the Shyamaram Para, Bata Para, and Karmam Para villages has significantly enhanced people's living standards. The systems offer indoor lighting, road illumination, and charging stations, reducing dependence on kerosene lamps by a significant margin and ensuring safety and access to learning for children.

Besides, the project has created local employment opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small business operators in the region, with an emphasis on installation and maintenance. The government of Tripura is determined to scale up this initiative to provide sustainable energy solutions to even more villages in the future.

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