“Growing up with access to clean water and energy, it didn’t make sense to me why are so many other people precluded from access to clean energy? Therefore I wanted to solve this,” explains Amit Saraogi, CEO and co-founder of Oorja Development Solutions, as he explains his inspiration in founding the young company that won SET Award 2023. In our final Energy Frontrunners interview of 2023, we sat down with the Quality Energy Access & SDG-7 category winner to understand how they’re helping millions in underdeveloped communities access clean water through solar energy and, in turn, creating more long-term financial security and independence.
Each year, our Energy Frontrunners series takes a closer look at the 15 finalists and five category winners from that year’s SET Awards. With fresh profiles and exclusive interviews, we tell the insider stories of the solutions that are helping fuel the energy transition.
In our final week, we look at the social impact start-up from India that is helping smallholders achieve more financial independence as well as lowering their carbon footprint, Oorja Development Solutions. Oorja is pioneering a community-based, inclusive Pay-Per-Use model that finances, delivers and installs solar farming services to small-holder farmers. Oorja helps the families, communities and industry adapt and transition away from fossil fuels in a managed and durable way.
The Best Solutions for Quality Energy Access and Sustainable Development Goal-7 in 2023
Joining Oorja in the Quality Energy Access and SDG-7 category were Mega Gas Alternative Energy, from Kenya and Nigeria’s Solaristique. This category recognises the best international start-ups working on viable solutions to ensure a fair and just energy transition for all through reaching the UN’s seventh sustainable development goal.
Applications are now open for the SET Award 2024. If you think your solution is helping drive the energy transition, then apply now! Check out our YouTube channel where the Energy Frontrunners series is also available as mobile-friendly Shorts.
