Ecopreneurship in the Energy Sector: An Empirical Study on the Energy-starved State of Bihar, India

Abstract

Awareness about the issues related to inclusive energy and environmental externalities in the energy sector, has produced a positive response from entrepreneurs across the country, especially in the energy-starved state of Bihar, in India. Entrepreneurs coming up with ‘green’ responses are termed as “ecopreneurs”. In this paper I have done an empirical study that was carried out in the state of Bihar, which has been facing chronic energy shortage, using case study method. This paper characterizes a sample of ecopreneurs on the basis of technology (gasifier, combustion, solar) and distribution model (off-grid mini-grids and stand alone system; on-grid feed-in-tariff). The case studies document and analyze different business models deployed by the entrepreneurs (such as Build and Maintain (BM), Build Own Operate and Maintain (BOOM), Build Own and Maintain (BOM) as well as their social, economic and environmental impacts. In this paper, study also analyses the external factors (financial and regulatory aspects) that either help or hinder the development of alternative energy solutions in the state. Based on the impacts of the models, the study makes recommendations for future replication and expansion.