THE CHALLENGE
First Energy has been selling improved bio-mass cooking stoves (Oorja Stove) and fuel pellets (Oorja) to rural households in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamilnadu. An alternative to traditional stoves which use kerosene and firewood as fuel, Oorja Stoves use Oorja pellets which are low cost and more efficient. However, over the past few months the price of Oorja Pellets have gone up because of centralised pelletization plants which are far away from the rural areas, thus, affecting the affordability and accessibility of the Oorja fuel pellets among the rural customers.
THE SOLUTION
In order to overcome this challenge, First energy has developed an alternate model of Micro-pelletizing. This micro-pelletization system allows localised production and eliminates the cost incurred on power, logistics and packaging in the centralized model. Hence the price of the Oorja pellets will come down making affordable and accessible for the rural masses.
ENTREPRENEUR : Mr. Mahesh Yagnaraman, CEO & Managing Director, First Energy Private Limited
