These biomass based (DESI) power systems proved to be very successful in Baharbari village in Araria district of Bihar. This village is not connected to any district centre. During the rainy season, it is impossible to reach the interior of this village by any means.

Despite its fertile land, plenty of water and capacity to reap three harvests a year, agriculture was adversely affected without irrigation facilities. In the absence of a grid connection, farmers had to rely on a diesel based generator which is located 40 km away from the village for meeting their irrigation requirements.

In the year 2001, in Baharbari village a 50 kW plant was set up. This has now been upgraded to 60 kW. The plant ensured 100 percent household electrification along with opportunities for micro-enterprises. Currently, approximately 250-300 households receive electricity for a minimum of 6-12 hours per day.

Distribution of electricity is done through a local committee - Bharwadi Odyogiki Vikas Sahkari (BOVS). This committee receives the electricity from the plant and manages the distribution, cost and accounts.

DESI power plant is a gasifier-based plant that runs on a variety of crop residues, such as rice husk briquettes, sugar cane toppings, corn cob, mango kernels, and coconut shells. The biomass is burned with a limited supply of oxygen to generate combustible gas which in turn produces electricity. Additionally, tree species, such as Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Silver Oak, Padauk, Pine, Lantana and Julie Flora can be used as raw material. Primarily woody masses like, Dhaincha (local weed), Ipomea and firewood have been used in the form of small pieces dried up to 15 percent or less moisture. 25 kg/h of feed is required to fire a 50kW gasifier.

The DESI power system has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the people of Baharbari village. Capacity building of the locals to operate and manage the power plants and establish small cooperatives such as chura mill, flour mill etc have helped them earn up to 1000 INR per month extra. In addition, they save 150 INR per month by not using diesel based energy systems. Earlier people had to pay whatever was demanded by the diesel generator owner just for lighting up a single 40 W bulb and charging their mobile batteries. Now with DESI power, they have access to reasonably priced electricity. Electricity is supplied at a very reasonable price of Rs3/day for 5 hours or on billing mode where the rate is Rs. 8/unit which has to be paid after every 7 days.

Farmers have been benefited, as they get electricity supply for their irrigation pumps at Rs. 50/hr. This fulfills their agricultural water requirements cost effectively. As a result agricultural yields have increased and farmers have been able to grow more crops in a year.

Children have been empowered as they can now study at night. Villagers now watch TV on battery run sets. Power boxes are installed outside every house. which gives power to TVs, VCRs, music players etc. With the village getting electrified, a number of shops came up in the area catering to various needs of the locals ranging from common grocery to computer parts. People from the village are of the opinion that the evening lighting and the setting up of a proper market place has transformed the lifestyle of their village.

Multiple power plants have been setup in Bihar, since 2001. They have showed a new, clean and green way of development. q