1 What inspired the creation of the Lighting a Billion Lives initiative, and what gap was it designed to address?
- Lighting a Billion Lives© is a global initiative launched in 2008 to facilitate clean energy access and to deliver last mile energy services for basic and productive use. This initiative enables energy poor communities to transition from traditional and inefficient energy sources to modern, more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
- Globally in the Year 2008, the problem of energy access translating into energy poverty lies at the center of human deterioration where in spite of rapid developments in clean energy solutions, 1.1* billion people still live without access to any form of electricity and 2.7* billion people still cook over open fires. This severe lack of energy access not only undermines health but also inhibits education, limits livelihood opportunities and reduces the overall chances for the poor to rise out of poverty. Clearly reflected in the poor rate of social, economic and environmental progress that nearly one third of the world’s population represents, energy poverty is also closely interrelated to global warming and climate change as the energy poor continue to use inefficient and polluting forms of biomass and fossil based fuels to fulfil their lighting and cooking needs.
- In 2008, of the world’s total energy poor, 95%* resided in sub-Saharan African and developing Asia, of which 84%* are in rural areas. In Asia, India was the largest affected nation with people living without access to clean lighting alternatives.
2 How does LaBL differentiate itself from other rural electrification and clean energy programs in India?
- Technological innovation and evolution is a central part of the energy provisioning process at Lighting a Billion Lives© .
- Lightning a Billion Lives initiative is unlike any other electrification programs running across India. It not only focuses on providing energy access to people but also mainstream gender inclusivity, income growth, technological innovation and implementation of sustainable models ensuring all round development of the society.
3 Over the years, how has the initiative evolved in terms of technology and implementation models?
Technological innovation and evolution is a central part of the energy provisioning process at Lighting a Billion Lives©. The programme’s foremost mandate has been the development and provision of clean technology solutions that are relevant and customized to end user preferences, usage behaviour and affordability. Since 2008, the programme has continually applied field experiences and feedback to improve, modify and advance its energy solutions to better suit end users.
Building on the success of the LaBL campaign in force since 2008, TERI is launching LaBL 2.0 , which aims to push the boundaries of energy access to energy for productive activities and builds the ecosystem for just energy transition. The programme envisages the following objectives-
- Enable livelihood empowerment by supporting rural energy entrepreneurs—especially women—with training and finance to run solar enterprises.
- Scale replicable delivery models for decentralized clean energy through different packages for primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.
- Build local capacity through intensive training and support to sustain energy systems and enable ongoing after‑sales services.
4 What measurable social and economic changes have you witnessed in communities where LaBL operates?
Energy poverty continues to restrict opportunities for education, healthcare, and livelihoods in underserved communities. To address this challenge, TERI launched Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) in 2008, pioneering decentralized solar solutions that have since evolved into integrated energy services such as solar charging stations, micro-grids, home lighting systems, improved cookstoves, and domestic energy systems, impacting over 9.1 million people across 24 Indian states and 13 countries. Building on this legacy, LaBL 2.0 – Leveraging Clean Energy for a Billion Livelihoods shifts the focus from basic access to energy for productive use, unlocking opportunities in agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, education, and health services while advancing climate action through fossil fuel abatement and carbon assessment.
5 How does LaBL align with India’s renewable energy and climate action goals?
India today stands at an important juncture. With 253 GW of installed renewable energy capacity and world leading growth in solar and wind, we are demonstrating that clean energy and development can advance together. Our national targets, 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070, are aligned not only with climate goals, but with a vision of resilient and future ready communities. Leading growth in solar and wind, we are demonstrating that clean energy and development can advance together.‑fossil capacity by 2030 and net‑zero by 2070‑ready communities.
The LaBL 2.0 programme is designed with a view to the future wherein green energy technologies contribute primarily to the global energy mix and support most productive activities. This envisioned future shows promise in addressing climate change significantly with advancements in technologies for mitigating climate impacts, ensuring energy security and creating climate-resilient livelihoods. India’s contribution to global goals of NDCs, SDGs and Net Zero emissions by 2070, align seamlessly with LaBL 2.0’s ambitious milestones.
LaBL 2.0 is aligned with India’s and global climate goals, including:
- UN SDGs: SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- Net Zero Commitments: Carbon offset projects, carbon credit-based models, and net-zero communities
- India’s Climate Leadership: Emission intensity reduction, expansion of non-fossil fuel capacity, and clean energy growth
6 What are the biggest operational or policy challenges currently facing decentralized solar initiatives?
TERI’s lab to field approach has revolutionized renewable energy access to serve households, communities and productive activities, from a time when grid connections were sparse or unreliable, and fossil fuels were the primary source of energy for remote communities.
Launched in 2008, LaBL emerged as a pioneering effort to address energy poverty through clean and decentralized energy solutions, facilitating the last mile delivery of energy services for basic and productive use. Operating through an entrepreneurial model of energy service delivery, LaBL accelerated market development for clean energy technologies through knowledge sharing, capacity building and market seeding. With the evolving energy needs of communities and businesses, LaBL adopted technical advancements and ecosystem development to enhance the utility and reach of its interventions.
India has attained near-universal access to household electrification through consistent efforts by successive governments, supported by investments from the private sector. With basic electricity requirements fulfilled, the focus shifts to energy sufficiency for productive applications through green energy technologies. As India’s growth is intrinsically linked to the growth of its industries, especially Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), addressing its energy challenges becomes critical for sustaining the growth trajectory. Current estimates show the sector leaving a significant carbon footprint, with around 3-4% of India’s CO2 emissions attributed to MSMEs. Decarbonization of the sector through clean and energy efficient technologies thus provides opportunities for emission reduction and long-term management of energy costs, without compromising on the reliability of supply for production activities. Moreover, it serves the goals of India’s energy transition, creating outcomes for inclusive livelihood enhancement.
7 Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for LaBL in the next decade?
Over the coming decades, LaBL visions a transformative expansion of decentralized clean energy solutions that not only address the energy gap but also supports climate resilience and sustainable development.
Our long term goals includes-
- Addressing Global Energy Poverty
- Strengthening Gender and Social Inclusivity
- Accelerating Climate Action through Sustainable Livelihoods
- Building Impactful Partnership Network Across the Globe
- Installation of 100GW clean energy solutions
- Creation of investment opportunities of USD 100 billion
- Achieving a major reduction in Greenhouse emissions
