This was a landmark project in RE / EE space, completed in 2013 in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, and funded by UNDP’s Global Environment Facility (GEF).  Close to 100 tea factories in Nilgiris district were part of this program.
The objective was to create a positive environment for the introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and processes in tea factories in south India. The project worked in a consortium mode with various partners including:

• TEDA (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency)
• The tea planters associations (NILMA and Bought leaf manufacturer’s association)
• Research institutions engaged in tea research (Tea Research Institute under United Planters Association South India, PSG College of Technology, Anna University)
• Technology providers (Planters Energy Network, Pandian Engineering, Teakrafts)
• Commercial Banks (State bank of India, Central Bank, Union Bank of India, Indian Bank)

The project succeeded in removing many barriers to acceptance of energy-efficient technology by the tea factories, in both thermal and electrical energy areas.  Energy audits were conducted and score cards created along with recommendations for conservation.  Close to 80 factories have adopted at least one of the recommendations given to them resulting in huge energy conservation per g of tea produced, along with cost reduction.

Read more about the project in UNDP website : Here

Watch a movie Here: 

Through this project, about 55,800 MTs of CO2 is saved per annum directly.

Replication of the program in North-Eastern India has been principally approved with TIDE as a technology partner and is awaiting formal approval.

See a photo essay here :

https://undp-india.exposure.co/saving-energy-in-the-tea-sector