The Powering Livelihoods initiative is a platform that brings clean energy-based technologies to rural and peri-urban India to boost incomes and reduce drudgery. It focuses on using decentralised renewable energy (DRE) to enable income-generating activities. Technologies include solar-powered cold storages that extend the shelf life of produce, hydroponics systems that grow green fodder in arid regions, and clean energy-based silk reeling machines that replace traditional, labour-intensive methods. According to Abhishek Jain, Director at CEEW, these solutions are not just technical upgrades but ways to fundamentally enhance the productivity and resilience of rural livelihoods.
Decentralised Renewable Energy
The initiative is rooted in the growing capability to generate energy where it is consumed. Over the past two decades, energy systems have shifted away from distant, centralised power plants toward rooftop solar, small hydro, and biomass at the point of use.
Jain points out that this transformation unlocks opportunities in livelihoods, education, healthcare, and more. He observes that distributed renewables not only power operations but redefine how energy is accessed and shared — making the energy future more decentralised, digitised, and decarbonised.
Holistic Ecosystem
At the heart of the model is a full ecosystem approach. Technologies alone aren’t enough — the initiative supports integrated solutions like solar-powered flour mills, looms, dryers, and cold storage that directly impact income. For example, replacing diesel-powered machines with solar can reduce operating costs and improve efficiency.
Jain notes that by offering bundled, optimised systems, capital and running costs are lowered. The model also facilitates market access and after-sales support by working with manufacturers and training local technicians — creating new jobs while ensuring sustainability.
Tapping a $50 Billion Opportunity
The business potential is immense. CEEW estimates a $50 billion market and the ability to impact 37 million livelihoods across India. Clean energy systems can bring value addition closer to rural communities and reduce migration.
One specific opportunity Jain highlights is the green fodder market. A simple solar-powered hydroponic unit can feed four animals from a household courtyard — improving milk yields and animal health, while being cost-effective.
Decentralised Challenges, Decentralised Solutions
Maintenance and service present a challenge, especially in remote areas. Jain explains that by deploying multiple technologies in a region and training one technician to serve all, the service becomes viable and scalable. The Powering Livelihoods programme plays a coordinating role — bridging gaps between technology, financing, service delivery, and end users. To date, it has directly supported nearly 32,000 livelihoods.
Mature Technologies
Jain clarifies that the technologies used are not prototypes but commercially deployed solutions with years of testing. Despite their maturity, awareness remains low among end-users, financial institutions, and policymakers.
The programme actively engages these stakeholders to raise awareness about the environmental, economic, and social benefits of clean energy livelihoods.
Bridging Finance Gap
One major hurdle is the high upfront cost. Since a clean-tech solution like a solar refrigerator may cost 3–4 times more than a conventional one, access to finance is essential. Jain shares that they’ve collaborated with NBFCs to provide loans — with over Rs 2 crore in financing facilitated so far with NPA levels under 3%. Platforms like Rang De allow retail investors to fund rural technology users at affordable interest rates. The initiative also unlocks government schemes like PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) helping users secure subsidies or lower-interest loans.
Learnings for Scale
Key learnings stress the importance of an ecosystem approach. Jain asserts that isolated deployments don’t work at scale; a coordinated effort is needed involving users, financiers, distribution partners, and policymakers.
Toolkits are being developed for bankers to assess loans for clean energy machines. Systemic data on income improvements and social impact is also gathered to build trust among stakeholders and guide policy.
Policy Exists, Schemes Must Follow
India introduced its first policy on decentralised renewable energy-based livelihoods in 2022. Jain, whose team at CEEW played a role in shaping it, emphasises the need for operational schemes to follow. He adds that convergence across schemes — such as National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), PMFME, and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (fisheries programmes) — can help mainstream clean-tech livelihoods and make them future-ready.
Gender Inclusion by Design
Gender inclusion is not an afterthought. Jain notes that women face unique barriers from technology design that isn’t user-friendly to lack of collateral for loans and limited market mobility.
To address this, the programme promotes collateral-free lending and partnerships with SHGs. Some enterprises also commit to buying back produce, removing the burden of market access from women. About 50% of Powering Livelihoods’ beneficiaries so far have been women.
Reimagining the Future
Looking ahead, Jain envisions a future where these technologies are mainstream and no longer need introduction. He hopes rural communities will begin to question why local produce must travel to cities for processing when power constraints no longer apply. Distributed renewables, he concludes, allow for a new economic geography — one that creates local, inclusive loops of production and value addition.
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