Decentralized energy production: A potential avenue for rural telecentres

The global telecentre movement has gained enormous momentum in the recent years due to its potential to emerge as a platform for social and economic development of the under-served communities. However, a major challenge faced by telecentres is that of sustainability. Among various factors, power crisis is one of the critical challenge that affects the functioning and core business of telecentres. Based on success of experimental projects that offer energy services as value added service, this paper presents a framework for transformation of a telecentre into a decentralized energy enterprise. While inability to access electricity when required is a barrier for adoption of digital technology, this paper suggests that offering energy services can emerge as a key value added service that can mark sustainability of a rural telecentre.