Husk power systems to set up university only of its kind

PATNA: Husk Power Systems (HPS), a company dedicated to rural electrification which provides reliable and affordable power to the poor using waste rice husk, is setting up a first-of-its-kind ‘Husk Power University’.

The proposed university would give training to the company’s new recruits and existing staff, helping in jobs creation for Bihar youths, particularly those living in rural areas. Besides, it will help in enhancing health and safety conditions at the existing operational sites located in rural areas. Details of the university’s structure are being worked out.

In East and West Champaran districts alone, more than 300 local youths have already been employed by the company to run the husk power systems.

Gyanesh Pandey, the brain behind HPS, said, “We currently employ close to 300 villagers. By 2014, we plan to recruit more than 2,500 field workers to join the Husk Power team. We are actively seeking passionate and experienced candidates to take up a range of challenging posts in Bihar.”

The Husk Power University, which will be developed by 2012, will serve as a training facility where people will imparted training in large engine repair and maintenance, facility management and continuous improvement processes.

“We are also looking at recruiting an operations head (preferably officers from the IAS, IPS and military services) to manage the growing network of power plants,” Pandey said.

HPS today owns and operates 60 small-scale power plants which convert waste biomass into sustainable, non-polluting and affordable energy that is lighting up villages and improving livelihoods.

The business has electrified 125 rural villages impacting 1.5 lakh households, and the company has plans to impact 2,000 villages by 2014.

HPS is currently installing new systems at the rate of two to three per week, creating new local job opportunities. The company is looking for franchisee partners who can adopt its business model and help it accelerate operations.

Shell Foundation , a non-profit organisation, has been a strategic partner to HPS since 2008. It has announced a funding of $1.1million to support HPS. Shell Foundation funds will be used to bolster research and development, safety processes and training facilities.

Simon Desjardins, programme manager, Shell Foundation, said, “Husk Power is proving that its business model is scalable and is now nearing financial sustainability.”