TERI Unveils LaBL 2.0: A New Chapter in Decentralized Renewable Energy for India
In a significant stride toward India's clean energy future, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) officially launched LaBL 2.0 (Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0) at a prestigious 'Dinner of Hope' event held at the iconic Taj Palace in New Delhi. This initiative marks a pivotal evolution from merely providing energy access to harnessing decentralized renewable energy (DRE) as a powerful catalyst for green livelihoods, women-led entrepreneurship, and robust climate action.
Building on a Legacy of Empowerment
The original Lighting a Billion Lives initiative, launched in 2008, demonstrated how DRE could transform communities by bringing electricity to off-grid areas. LaBL 2.0 expands this vision dramatically, focusing on five core pillars:
- Large-scale productive use of decentralized renewable energy to drive economic activities.
- Green livelihoods and women-led enterprises to foster inclusive growth.
- Strengthened local clean energy value chains to enhance sustainability.
- Robust carbon accounting and climate outcome measurement to ensure accountability.
- Scalable, replicable, and finance-ready implementation models to attract investment.
High-Level Engagement and Policy Alignment
The launch event gathered a diverse array of stakeholders, including policymakers, ministers, industry leaders, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, civil society representatives, and grassroots beneficiaries. A key highlight was the release of the TERI-MNRE Joint Policy Paper, developed in partnership with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This document reinforces the alignment between DRE expansion and India's ambitious net-zero 2070 pathway.
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, emphasized the critical need for inclusive development. "Everyone now wants change; everyone wants to hear the voice of the poor, and TERI understands that we cannot develop as a country if we leave out the rural community," she stated. "While we very proudly say that energy consumption per capita is low in India, we must understand that this is because of two reasons—lack of accessibility and affordability. If India is to develop, we must provide energy to all at affordable prices."
Dr Jeevan Kumar Jethani, Scientist-F and Senior Director at MNRE, highlighted the government's commitment. "Even after 76 years of Independence, if we are not able to provide light, it does not reflect well. The government has been tremendously working towards providing grid connections and extending services through solar energy where grid connection is not possible. It is our duty to provide energy for rural livelihoods so that people can carry out economic activities while remaining in their villages."
From Lighting Homes to Powering Livelihoods
Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Head of CSR at TERI, articulated the program's evolution. "We began with lighting homes; we now move towards powering livelihoods. LaBL has a long canvas. Launched in 2008, we began this journey with a clear vision of providing electricity where the grid could not reach. Energy access changes evenings, but livelihoods change futures—that's where LaBL 2.0 was born."
The launch featured the unveiling of the LaBL 2.0 Mission & Vision, the program logo, a digital platform, and the premiere of the LaBL 2.0 Vision Film, setting a tone for an inclusive, accountable, and financially sustainable transition.
Political and International Support
The Ministerial Segment saw addresses from prominent figures. Dr Laxmikant Bajpai, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, remarked, "Sustainability begins with local action. By looking at the transformation of Hastinapur, we see a powerful blueprint for how renewable energy can meet our modern needs while honoring our heritage."
Shri Om Prakash Sinha, Member of Parliament, added, "The ultimate benefits of research and development should reach the masses. LaBL 2.0's objective is the same. The need of the hour is greener, less carbon footprint, and increased productivity—energy transition should reach to the masses at the bottom."
International dignitaries, including ministers from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, along with representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), were present, underscoring the global relevance of the initiative.
Flagship Initiatives and Future Directions
LaBL 2.0 announced a portfolio of flagship initiatives designed to accelerate impact at scale:
- Hastinapur Model City – A regional success story serving as a blueprint.
- HUDCO Model Solar Village – Promoting solar energy in rural settings.
- TKIL Strategic Partnership on Solar and Innovative Technologies – Fostering technological advancements.
- GCC DRE Carbon Credit Program – Linking DRE projects to carbon markets.
- Hindalco - Sustainable Rehabilitation of Legacy Waste Sites – Addressing environmental challenges.
These initiatives represent a shift toward aggregated DRE models integrated with credible Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) frameworks. This approach aims to unlock access to climate finance and carbon markets while enhancing accountability and viability.
A Collective Commitment to Change
In a powerful recognition segment, LaBL partners and beneficiaries were honored on stage, reaffirming that clean energy must be community-led and livelihood-centered. The symbolic "Press the Light for LaBL" pledge moment invited partners and supporters to stand in solidarity, illuminating the hall in a collective commitment to scaling decentralized clean energy solutions.
Shri Nitin Desai, Chairman of TERI, highlighted the grassroots focus. "The basic principle underlying this approach is the need to reach people at the grassroots level. As emphasized by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and our Prime Minister, development must reach 'Antyodaya'—the last person in the queue."
Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director at TERI, noted the alignment with broader goals. "We have shown how a sustainable way of doing things can make a big impact on our lives, and we have demonstrated this through LaBL. LaBL aligns with SDG 2030, Viksit Bharat 2047, and Net Zero 2070."
Conclusion: A Vision for Sustainable Development
LaBL 2.0 strategically aligns decentralized renewable energy with climate finance, just transition principles, and measurable climate outcomes. By aggregating small-scale interventions and linking them to robust carbon accounting frameworks, the program aims to make grassroots clean energy projects investment-ready and globally credible.
Through LaBL 2.0, TERI—in partnership with MNRE and a broad coalition of stakeholders—reaffirms its commitment to accelerating India's green transition. This initiative is poised to strengthen livelihoods, empower women entrepreneurs, enhance climate accountability, and contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability goals, paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient energy future.
