An Electric Idea Bihar generates power from rice

 In a country where more than 400 million people live without electricity, it isn't political rhetoric and policies filtered through many layers of bureaucracy that will benefit people. An innovative approach to identifying and addressing the basic lack of infrastructure works best. This is best exemplified by the initiative to convert rice husks to electricity in Bihar. Pioneered by a company called Husk Power Systems, established in 2007 by Bihar native Gyanesh Pandey along with three partners – it's a peculiarly Indian initiative, making a virtue out of the necessity of low-cost solutions to large-scale problems. In essence, Pandey and his partners have devised an electric distribution system powered by the waste product of rice husks, generated when rice is milled – something in abundant supply in Bihar where, it is estimated, 1.8 billion kgs of rice husk are produced annually. 

    The results have been eye-opening with 80 mini-plants across the state supplying power to 32,000 households, at a price level that is sustainable even in a rural economy. But given the abysmal state of power generation in India, this is just a tiny fraction of the potential market. This is where the government must step in. The private sector has shown the way; now New Delhi must play enabler. Aiding in establishment of similar systems in other states and smoothing the way for procurement of capital via loans and investment will go a long way towards expanding the scope for biomass power generation. And the rewards could be staggering. Lack of access to power is perhaps the most basic impediment to economic growth. Remove that and the India growth story will receive a much-needed shot in the arm.