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25 million private groundwater wells
Groundwater scarce western corridor with
electric tubewells with
power subsidies
Groundwater rich but energy-poor eastern India dependant on diesel
1. Deadweight of electricity subsidies: US$ billions/year.
2. Perverse incentives driving groundwater depletion in western India
3. Rising diesel costs shrink the irrigation economy of Indo-Gangetic basin
4. Electricity/diesel in irrigation = 5-6% of total carbon emission in the region
25 million private groundwater wellsWhat is the problem?
The (partial) solution
Solar pumps can unlock India’s energy-irrigation logjam
But current promotional strategy based on capital cost subsidy• 80-90% subsidy on panel costs, perverse incentives
• Limits opportunities for open solar pump market
• Elite tend to capture the subsidies
• Potential for over-exploiting groundwater
A one-dimensional solution
ITP proposal: Solar a
s a
Energy-Water-
Livelihoods-Carbon
Solution
Approach
Research & Publishing
• Viability of solar pumping (state, national, int’l experience)
• ITP Highlights & EPW • Stockholm Water Week
Partnerships & Demonstrations
• Pilot studies in Gujarat & Bihar
• Partnerships: farmers, research, private sector
Influence Policy
• Presentations to Finance Ministers
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL DEBATE
CATALYSE CHANGE
Composite solution: smart solar pump promotion
Research & Publishing
Reduce subsidy from the current 80-90% to 40-50%
Create a viable subsidy-loan financing model by involving banks and electricity companies
Abolish restrictions (pump size, drip, farm ponds) Streamline the process Tailor to India’s different groundwater ecologies
Composite solution: smart solar pump promotion
Western India
Solar power as cash crop with a guaranteed market at attractive price
Eastern India
Solar pump subsidies to create entrepreneurial Irrigation Service Providers
Research & Publishing
• Reduce financial cost of subsidies• Incentives to sell back solar power
rather than pump groundwater• Create irrigation service markets• Reduce the carbon footprint
Partners
Farmers and Pump Owners in Rajasthan and Bihar
Avinash Kishore of IFPRI
Rakesh Tewari (Bihar)
Nidhi Tewari (Rajasthan)
Partnerships & Demonstrations
Outcomes
India’s Finance Minister launches Rs. 400 crores (USD 66 million) scheme for solar power driven agricultural pump sets and water pumping stations
Karnataka, Orissa adopt ITP proposal
New GoI program to install 100k solar pumps with buy back provision
KARNATAKA
Influence Policy
Lessons learned
Policy change takes time
Requires communication, but also…
Demonstrations and pilots to promote detailed policy proposals A solar-powered pump installed at a farm irrigation
pond in Rajasthan.
Photo credit: N
idhi PrabhaTew
ari
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