U.S. Government, GE Join Hands to Launch Rural Electrification Program in India
 

March 22, 2006

New Delhi – In a landmark effort that will bring electricity to thousands in rural India, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the General Electric Company (GE) today officially launched a program to promote commercially viable rural electrification in this country, using renewable energy technologies.

This unique public-private partnership, announced in Washington earlier this year on January 26, will bring American expertise and technology to address one of India’s most challenging development needs.

At an event hosted by GE in New Delhi today, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Robert O. Blake said: “Just three weeks ago in New Delhi, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh reaffirmed their shared commitment to further expand the ties between our two countries – not the least of which is in the area of energy cooperation. The U.S. Mission in India is proud to be associated with this innovative effort to meet the energy needs of rural Indians through public-private partnerships.”

In his address, Mr. Ferdinando ‘Nani’ Beccalli-Falco, President and CEO, GE International said: “This landmark event is further evidence of GE's commitment to assist the Government of India in its plan to provide ‘Power for All’ by 2012. Four years ago my colleague, John Rice, pledged GE's support to this essential initiative. Now, working along with USAID, we are making that pledge a reality.”

The event was also attended by Glenn Whaley and S. Padmanabhan of USAID; David Slump, General Manager Global Marketing, GE Energy; K. Krishan, Chairman MPPPL and officials of the Indian Ministry of Power, among others.

The India Rural Electrification Program is a cooperative relationship between USAID and GE with support from Winrock International India, Malavalli Power Plant Private Limited, Winrock International and the International Institute of Education. The alliance aims to develop a commercially viable rural electrification program to increase productivity and spur economic growth in rural India.

The partnership under USAID’s Global Development Alliance (GDA) initiative will span a two-year period and provide up to four village clusters in India with access to clean energy through GE power generation technologies, which utilize biomass, wind and solar resources.

USAID will contribute up to $600,000 to the program, while GE and its worldwide network of experts and partners will invest up to $2.7 million in direct and indirect funding. Karnataka and Maharashtra have been targeted as the first states for implementation. The work is expected to commence mid-2006.

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