Empowering villages: a comparative analysis of DESI power and husk power Systems
This comparative analysis of two biomass - based decentralized renewable energy companies operating in Bihar, DESI Power and Husk Power Systems, provides insight into business strategy and technological suitability of biomass based decentralized energy generation plants for rural India and highlights critical elements that may be of high relevance for replicating similar solutions in other geographical locations.
Decentralized renewable energy generation offers one possible solution for rural electrification. It provides a cost effective and ‘green’ way to overcome the high cost of connecting remote villages to the grid and offers the potential to augment traditional grid electricity supply. This comparative analysis of two biomass - based decentralized renewable energy companies operating in Bihar, DESI Power and Husk Power Systems, provides insight into business strategy and technological suitability of biomass based decentralized energy generation plants for rural India and highlights critical elements that may be of high relevance for replicating similar solutions in other geographical locations. This case study is based on secondary research about these companies and extensive qualitative field research carried out in the companies’ areas of operation. The perspectives presented in this case study draw heavily from a scan of the Base of Pyramid clean energy space conducted by Center for Development Finance and the World Resources Institute. Data was gathered from semi-structured interviews with company stakeholders, focus group discussions with users and non-users and field visits to the companies, areas of operation.