USAID to provide $2.7 mn for clean energy to India

The United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) will provide USD 2.7 million for increasing clean energy access to India.
The announcements were made by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal here.
USAID awarded a USD 200,000 grant for SELCO Foundation to help establish six "innovation labs" that will develop and test sustainable energy solutions.
The agency is also supporting a USD 2.5 million loan guarantee to Orb Energy, a clean energy service provider.
As a result of the loan, Orb will provide energy to 500 branches of primarily underserved communities by 2016 in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Biswal said these sustainable and renewable energy projects will help millions of Indian families gain access to affordable, reliable and clean energy.
"They also demonstrate our focus on working with innovators and entrepreneurs in the private sector to find creative solution to bring sustainable energy to those who currently live off the electrical grid," she added.