These solar-powered villages are inhabited by PVTGs, and the tough, undulating topography made the traditional electricity connection next to impossible. Given the situation, the district administration took up a special initiative for solar power, and it has become a boon for these tribal communities.

Talking to TOI on Tuesday, Gumla district planning officer Raman Kumar said, “Over 1,848 solar street lights have been installed in PVTG and other villages, while 153 high-mast solar lights have been installed at important public places across the district.”

Three main rural locations — Manjirapath in Bishunpur block, Jalhan-Sarango in Ghaghra block, and Naktijharia-Kobja in Raidihi block — now have mini solar power grids of 20 KWP, 10 KWP and 25 KWP, respectively, Kumar said.

Moreover, nine villages of the district have been selected as solar model villages for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna of the Centre’s new and renewable energy ministry. Among these villages are Bargaon, Nagar, and Sisai in Sisai block, Bharno in Bharno block, Fasia and Pugu in the sadar block, Chainpur in Chainpur block, and Navagarh in Raidih block.

“These nine villages have 12,981 households and a total population of 62,267 people,” Kumar said, adding that a time frame has been set to implement the scheme and a committee chaired by the DC would oversee the execution of the Centre’s ambitious scheme.

The initiative for solar power started during the tenure of former Gumla DC Karn Satyarthi, and the projects were executed by the Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Authority.

Reacting to the initiative, Jyoti Behar Devi of Majhgaon village said, “The hilly regions have now electricity from solar lights for the first time.”

Kamla Kacchap of PVTG-inhabited Narma panchayat in Bishunpur block also told TOI, “Our panchayat now has solar street light at the thoroughfares. We feel safe while moving around at night, and sometimes villagers hold meetings under the solar light.”Our panchayat has nine revenue villages and 22 hamlets, all located in Netarhat Plateau’s tough terrain.”

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A new study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed that aligning renewable energy goals with broader development policies could lift 193 million people out of extreme poverty by 2060, while unlocking USD 20.4 trillion in cumulative savings for the global economy.

The study, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), University of Denver’s Pardee Institute and Octopus Energy, was set up to explore how time-bound renewable energy targets, backed by coherent policies and financing mechanisms, could unlock triple wins: cutting emissions, boosting economies and delivering real social benefits.
The report simulated three scenarios to assess outcomes for emissions, economic growth, and social progress.
In a business-as-usual scenario, the global energy system remains dependent on fossil fuels, accounting for over 50 per cent of primary energy by 2060.
This trajectory would push global warming to 2.6 °C, exacerbating poverty, malnutrition and lack of access to essential services like electricity, safe water and sanitation.
The second scenario considers accelerated renewable energy deployment aligned with the first Global Stocktake’s call to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency.
In this future, fossil fuels would make up just 12 per cent of the energy mix by 2060, helping to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius.

But it is the third and most ambitious scenario — where renewables are accelerated alongside investments in health, education, water and food systems — that yields the most transformative outcomes.
In this pathway, universal access to electricity and clean cooking is achieved, 142 million people are saved from malnutrition, and 550 million more people gain access to clean water and sanitation.
“This study shows us that a clean energy future is possible — but we must choose to embed renewable ambition into climate plans linked to inclusive development policies,” said Cassie Flynn, UNDP’s Global Director of Climate Change.

In addition to its social impact, the study estimates the third scenario would generate USD 8.9 trillion in energy efficiency savings and USD 11.5 trillion from declining renewable costs, while boosting global GDP by 21 per cent and raising per capita income by USD 6,000 by 2060.
Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson highlighted the growth potential that clean energy can unlock.
“Renewables can offer the chance to bring electricity to hundreds of millions of people, improving lives and driving growth,” he said.
With renewable power capacity reaching 4,448 GW in 2025, accounting for over 90 per cent of new power additions and clean energy investments projected to hit a record USD 2.2 trillion, the momentum is strong.

Yet, fossil fuels still dominate, comprising over 70 per cent of the global supply.
In 2024 alone, fossil fuels accounted for more than half of the 2.2 per cent rise in energy demand, and energy efficiency growth halved from previous decades.
“The imperative now falls to global leaders to embrace these strategies and act,” said Jonathan Moyer, Director of the Pardee Institute.
“This research shows it is possible to balance global development with environmental protection while managing the inherent trade-offs,” Moyer said.

Reference : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/aligning-renewables-with-development-goals-can-lift-193-million-from-poverty-undp-study/articleshow/122204516.cms

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