Issues Before Evolving Energy Cooperative: Field Note from Leh, India.

Abstract

This note provides the field narrative about an emerging energy cooperative which was established with the mandate of supplying uninterrupted and clean electricity through solar photovoltaic units. The formation of the energy cooperative was one of the many dimensions of development intervention planned in the program for the,"integrated development plan of Durbuk block using renewable energy resources," by implementing agencies. Field observations provided evidence that the cooperative was socially accepted. The flip side of the burden on the cooperative members was in terms of financial cost – due to cost side technological skewness – in running and maintaining of the solar power unit. The study provides an insight into the social, economic, and technological dimensions of the program intervention and their scope for rural development, rather than becoming an encumbrance to social capital.

Keywords: cooperative, technology, development, solar energy

JEL Classification: Q20, Q40, Q42, R58, O20