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Udupi : Globally, 1.6 billion people do not have access to electricity. Lack of access to energy, and poverty are linked such that the areas with the highest levels of poverty also have the lowest levels of modern energy consumption, said Selco Solar Company CEO Mohan Hegde.

He was speaking to media persons at Manipal on Friday, 12^th May, after participating in a workshop of Selco Solar Producers’ meet, an initiative of SELCO incubation at Bharathiya Vikas Trust in Manipal that Kerosene lamps used in much of the world emit 200 million tons of CO2 annually and present terrible health risks. According to the UN, without scaling up the availability of affordable and sustainable energy services not only will the Millennium Development Goals not be achieved, but by 2030 another 104 billion people are at risk of beinbg left without access to modern energy.

He said most successful local efforts to bring energy solutions to the poor are those that engange at the Small and Medium Enterprise levels. A diversified vibrant SME level seems best positioned to handle the unique needs of poor clients, create new jobs and exhibit necessary flexibility in the underdeveloped energy market. Inclusive SME play a crucial role in successful programs that allow access to the poor. The energy access entrepreneur is one who has the value chain linkages and end user financing linkages to reach rural and tribal households to provide them with solutions coupled with servicing and maintenance.

The SELCO incumbation is an initiative of selco foundation to incubate and support entrepreneurs and enterprises involved in the delivery of sustainable energy services. The company intends to develop the project in North east states such as Assam, Oridha, Meghalaya and Manipur by 2018. It is centred in the growth of local entrepreneurs and extending the business.