Tata Power’s TP Renewable Microgrid Expands Clean Energy Access In Paska Bazar, Uttar Pradesh

TP Renewable Microgrid, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited, is strengthening its commitment to rural development by expanding clean energy access through a renewable microgrid project in Paska Bazar. The initiative is built around the idea of enabling energy independence for rural India by combining solar power with biogas-based solutions. It aims to address everyday energy challenges faced by rural households and businesses while also supporting long-term environmental sustainability.

Paska is a village located in Paraspur Block of Gonda District in Uttar Pradesh, approximately 35 kilometres from the district headquarters and around 95 kilometres from Lucknow. The village has nearly 2,500 families, most of whom depend on agriculture and dairy farming for their livelihood. Electricity supply in the region has traditionally been unstable, with frequent fluctuations and a heavy reliance on diesel generators. Seasonal flooding further adds to the difficulties faced by the community. In such conditions, dairy farming plays a crucial role in the local economy, making milk collection, storage, and processing essential for income generation.

To improve the situation, TP Renewable Microgrid installed a 30 kWp solar microgrid in December 2020, providing clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to around 150 consumers in the area. The system powers a variety of small businesses, including grocery shops, tea stalls, sweet shops, eateries, flour mills, and dairy collection centres. With increasing energy demand in the region, the installed capacity has now been expanded to 50 kWp. This upgrade has helped ensure more stable electricity supply, improved business operations, and reduced dependence on diesel generators, while also cutting carbon emissions by approximately 16 tons of CO₂ every year.

A key impact of this initiative can be seen in Paska Bazar, which serves as an important hub in the regional dairy supply chain. Milk is collected from nearby villages located within a 5 to 10 kilometre radius and stored in Bulk Milk Coolers to maintain quality and prevent spoilage. Out of five available milk coolers in the bazaar, two are currently powered by the microgrid. With the recent capacity expansion, a third cooler has also been connected to the system. This improvement has significantly enhanced the reliability of milk storage, reduced wastage, and provided greater confidence to farmers and dairy entrepreneurs who depend on timely and efficient milk processing for their livelihood.

In addition to solar energy, TP Renewable Microgrid is also exploring decentralised biogas solutions at the household level. These systems allow families to convert cattle dung into biogas, which can be used for cooking purposes. This reduces dependence on LPG cylinders and provides a more affordable and sustainable cooking fuel option. As part of this effort, a 2 cubic metre biogas plant has been installed in Nayab Purwa hamlet, located about 2 kilometres from Paska village. The plant currently supports a household that is actively involved in supplying fresh milk to Paska Bazar on a daily basis.

The benefits of this initiative go beyond energy access. Families using biogas systems are able to reduce household expenses while also gaining access to a cleaner cooking fuel. The by-product from the biogas process is organic slurry, which can be used as natural fertiliser in agricultural fields or sold in local markets, creating an additional source of income. Looking ahead, there are plans to introduce more decentralised solar solutions along with energy-efficient appliances to further improve living standards and support the development of rural entrepreneurship in the region.

This project reflects the broader vision of The Tata Power Company Limited under its sustainability philosophy of “Sustainable is Attainable.” It demonstrates how decentralised renewable energy systems can create a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility while improving the quality of life in rural communities. The model integrates solar energy and Bio-CNG derived from agricultural residue and cattle waste, helping reduce dependence on diesel and LPG while promoting a cleaner energy ecosystem.

According to Manoj Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of TP Renewable Microgrid, the focus is on creating long-term and meaningful impact through clean energy solutions. He highlights that the Paska Bazar microgrid demonstrates how integrated renewable energy systems can strengthen local economies, improve energy security, and support livelihoods. He also emphasises that the initiative is not limited to electricity supply alone, but also includes clean energy solutions for lighting, cooling, and cooking, along with efforts to build awareness around sustainable energy use in rural communities.

Overall, the Paska Bazar microgrid is being developed as a scalable model for rural electrification. It shows how clean and decentralised energy solutions can support economic growth, improve daily life in rural areas, and contribute to India’s broader sustainability and climate goals.