Varanasi: ReNew Power, one of the leading clean energy companies, today inaugurated solar micro-grids totalling a capacity of 16.23 kW, in Paniyara village near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The village was adopted by ReNew Power in 2016, as part of its Corporate Citizenship initiative – SVARG (Smart Village Adopted by ReNew Group).
Mridula Jaiswal, Mayor of Varanasi Nagar Nigam graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Neel Ratan Patel, Member of the state Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Sevapuri, attended as the Guest of Honour.
With the installation of the community-based, community-managed solar micro-grids, electricity will now reach around 200 households from the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society; two government schools and the local Anganwadi centre – thus aiding in the community’s social development.
Paniyara village has a total population of approximately 3,000, and will be developed as a model village over a period of three years. This will ensure that residents have access to basic needs like a reliable source of electricity; education for children; empowerment for women; livelihood opportunities for youth; and access to safe sources of drinking water.
SVARG is a program aimed at promoting energy sovereignty by adopting renewable and clean energy as the primary driver for development.
ReNew Power is committed to ensuring that development reaches the bottom of the pyramid while aligning to the government’s vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’.
As part of the SVARG initiative, ReNew Edu Hub – an education centre with a career building model for children and local youth – was also inaugurated today.
The centre will facilitate vocational skill training for rural youth in alignment with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission.
ReNew Power is also extending the ReNew Scholarship for Exceptional Talent (ReSET) to Paniyara. The ReSET programme is aimed at identifying and promoting talent from under-represented, rural communities.
As part of the latter initiative, two scholarships were announced today – Sumant Sinha ReNew Scholarship for boys; and Vaishali Nigam Sinha ReNew Scholarship for girls – both aimed at addressing the aspirations of rural children wanting to study engineering.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaishali N Sinha, Director, ReNew Power said, “We are pleased to inaugurate this community-based solar micro-grid in Paniyara as part of our initiative to support rural communities with no access to energy. Energy availability plays a pivotal role in the economic and social development of rural India. Towards achieving this objective, ReNew Power is happy to extend its support in holistically developing a smart village.”
