CB BureauGrundfos
Foundation, Grundfos India and Sunlit Future are entering the first phase of an
ambitious project to bring clean water to 100 villages in rural India. The
first phase will deliver water to nearly 12,400 people in 28 villages in
Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Given
that in India over 700,000 villages do not have access to water, an off-grid,
self-sustaining solar pumping solution is the quickest way to provide water to
millions. The Grundfos Foundation has agreed to co-sponsor the construction of
the first 28 of 100 solar-powered pumping systems in 100 villages.
‘We
understand the plight of many women and girls in rural India who have to carry
up to 20 litres of water two to three times a day. We are happy to bring some
respite to these women and the 100 villages through this project. We think it
is going to make a tremendous difference in a lot of people’s lives,’ said
Christian Hartvig, executive director, Grundfos Foundation.
The
solar-powered pumping systems with Grundfos’ SQ Flex pumps are expected to ensure
stable water supply for each village. The SQ Flex pump motor is constructed
especially for energy sources with varying voltage, such as solar energy or
wind power.
Sunlit Future will work in
partnership with three local NGOs – Gram Vikas, Pragati Pratishthan and
Haritika – to ensure that the communities are organized and trained to take
care of the installations in the future. Auroville-based Sunlit Future has been
working in the solar energy space for 12 years, bringing renewable energy
solutions to both rural and urban India.