Five Indian organisations up for global green energy prize

Five Indian organisations have been selected as finalists for this year’s Ashden Awards, the world’s leading green energy awards, ahead of an awards ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London on 22nd May 2014.

India faces stark energy challenges. Some 400 million Indians live without access to modern forms of electricity, while 159 million cook using traditional fuels like wood and dung, which harms health and pollutes the air. At the same time, the growing economy is placing ever-greater strain on the already over-stretched national electricity grid.

Hon. Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashen Founder Director said: “India is a hotbed of innovation in sustainable energy: from social enterprises that are meeting the energy needs of some of the poorest people in the country, to an IT giant that’s achieving staggering energy savings across all its business campuses.

Together all five organisations are leading examples of what can be achieved. The rest of the world should take note.”

Now in their 14th year, the Ashden Awards celebrate pioneering businesses and organisations that are helping tackle climate change and improving people’s lives. Some 20 organisations in India have won Ashden Awards since 2001. In 2010, Indian Ashden Award winners formed the Ashden India Renewable Energy Collective, which acts as a voice for the sustainable energy sector in India.

A total of 14 Ashden Award winners will be announced at ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London on 22 May 2014. Winners will receive up to £40,000 and global recognition as one of 2014’s green energy leaders.

Indian Finalists for the 2014 Ashden Awards are: Sakhi Unique Rural Enterprise in Maharashtra, Greenway Grameen in Mumbai, the Rajasthan Horticulture Development Society, Infosys and Mera Gao Power in Utter Pradesh.