Media Resource Centre » Media Fellowship

Power beyond the grid: Is renewable doable?

This fellowship is supported by Misereor

May-June 2013

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2011 report on renewable energy sources and climate change mitigation, 85 per cent of current primary energy driving global economies comes from the combustion of fossil fuels.

These fuels account for 56.6 per cent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions in the world. In 2007, energy generation accounted for 58 per cent of India’s net GHG emissions. Use of renewable energy sources — such as sun and wind – could, thus, play a role in mitigating climate change and its impacts.

About 75 million of India's 226 million households (400 million people) have no access to power, says the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE). In rural areas, the electrification rate hovers at 47.5 per cent -  either the grid does not reach these places, or even if it reaches, it fails to provide end - point connectivity. In such a scenario, decentralised off-the-grid renewable power projects could be a way out.

Even in urban India, it is estimated that by 2017, soaring power rates would mean off-grid solar, particularly roof-top generation units, could become cheaper than conventional grid electricity.

Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Media Fellowship Programme invited journalists from India writing/reporting in any language to apply for its 16th Media Fellowships to address, analyse and report on the issue of off-grid renewable energy.

The deadline for application was April 10, 2013.

Selected fellows will be intimated after the jury meeting.

Please address all queries to:

Sheeba Madan
Programme Officer, Media Resource Centre,
Centre for Science and Environment,
41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi 110 062
Ph: 011-29955124, 29955125 ext. 282
Fax: 011-29955879,
Email: sheeba@cseindia.org