Taking the Concept of the Rural Electric Power Conference to India and Beyond

Electrification has moved into being a necessity for modern life and to maintaining a quality of life in a world that needs the tools to improve food choice and quality, better water and sanitation, transport of goods and information, and a level of freedom. In many parts of the world electricity is still a challenge or even a non-reality. One such place in the world is India. Great strides have been made and many projects are moving forward to help; but, as this movement increases throughout India, there is a need to have a helpful forum where the technical and non-technical developers of electrification can go to exchange ideas, methods, processes, tools, techniques, problems and successes around the many national efforts. A forum is needed where these can be shared and retained for the national and even international good. We, the authors, wish to offer this paper as a vision to move the model of the Rural Electric Power Conference (REPC) to India to increase their growth in rural power. The rich history of the REPC and its firm backing of the IEEE, which now exceeds 60 years, have a concept that can be initiated in other parts of the world; but this new seed must be planted carefully and with good planning in the fertile ground of India. The authors have the experience and contacts to start this important project but require a statement on which to propose, not only a vision, but to develop support and enthusiasm for the existing REPC USA members and their rich history. This effort is not to duplicate the existing REPC but to initiate a forum and then, under the umbrella of the IEEE, allow the rural power needs of India to lead and manage their type of conference.