Solar power to reach 1,900 anganwadi centres in Karnataka
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The initiative, estimated to cost about ₹16 crore, is aimed at improving basic facilities at anganwadi centres and creating a better environment for early childhood care, preschool education, nutrition, and health services.
The Department of Women and Child (WCD) Development has partnered with the SELCO Foundation to provide solar power to 1,900 anganwadi centres across Karnataka, with a focus on centres in remote and underserved areas.
A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by WCD Director Mahesh Babu and SELCO Foundation Director Huda Jaffer recently.
The initiative, estimated to cost about ₹16 crore, is aimed at improving basic facilities at anganwadi centres and creating a better environment for early childhood care, preschool education, nutrition, and health services.
Under the programme, 1,500 centres would receive 250 Wp DC solar systems, while 400 centres would be provided with 630 Wp AC systems. The centres have been selected based on their ‘Saksham’ and ‘Non-Saksham’ classification, with special attention to those without electricity or located in interior, remote, and infrastructure-deficient areas.
The programme would also include training for anganwadi staff on the safe use, basic operation, and maintenance of the solar systems. They would be trained to identify common problems and seek technical assistance when required, according to the SELCO Foundation.
The staff would also be trained to use the Soura e-Mitra application to report and track faults and access technical support. The department and the foundation expect the combination of local training and digital support to help keep the systems functional and reduce downtime.
The partnership would also support the development of model anganwadi centres, which are intended to demonstrate how clean energy and better infrastructure could support early childhood development, nutrition, learning, and community services.
The collaboration with the WCD Department builds on the foundation’s ongoing partnership with the State’s Health Department under the Soura Swasthya initiative.
Launched in November 2024, in collaboration with the National Health Mission, the programme seeks to provide solar power to 5,000 public health facilities by 2026. These include 2,877 sub-centres, 1,971 primary health centres, 28 urban primary health centres, 12 community health centres, and 112 taluk hospitals.
The project, estimated to cost ₹120 crore, is intended to improve the reliability of electricity supply at public health facilities, particularly those in areas where power availability is limited. More than 3,700 health facilities have already been provided with solar power, according to Health Department officials.
The experience gained through the health-sector programme is now being extended to anganwadi centres, bringing the focus on reliable clean energy to another set of essential public services.
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