Conclusion: Overcoming Barriers to Decentralized Energy Systems in India

Energy democracy calls for energy governance decentralization, through removal of ‘barriers’ to energy transition and energy systems change. Energy systems transition requires a region–specific and citizen-centric approach. And should be socially acceptable. Decentralized energy systems warrant a paradigmatic shift. Such a shift calls for a two-pronged approach—(a) evidence-based policy for local resource assessment, and (b) context-specific energy needs assessment. The process of active decentralization of the process of energy access underlines the need for—(1) migration from target-based approach towards evidence-based approach for profiling of local energy demand, and (2) a gradual shift from a techno-economic regime towards a socio-technical regime embedded in ‘appropriate’ local contexts. The energy policy regime and the associated actors appear to ignore two principal essentialities—(1) the anthropological dimension of energy demand and (2) recognition of energy poverty as the central theme in all policy designs for the rural electricity sector. Policy instrumentalities need to build upon three conceptions in respect of rural electrification (as a policy instrument) and energy poverty (as a socio-cultural phenomenon): (1) constitutive conception (anthropomorphic dimension of electricity consumption), (2) systemic conception (substantive rationale for rural electrification policy design), and (3) action-theoretical conception (policy aspirations translating into constructive engagement, praxis). Prosumerism holds the key to democratization of energy systems in India for an active transition towards alternate approaches to energy production and end use.