Power outages in 20 Indian states for almost 48 hours has yet again highlighted the challenges the budding economies face when it comes to developing energy infrastructure. The power crisis is the world’s biggest blackout, affecting more people than Canada and the United States’ population combined.

Being stuck in Metro or underground mines cannot be a pleasant experience. Miners were stuck in mines in one state. People were stranded in more than 300 trains. Factories had to return employees’ to their homes as there was no power to work, leaving massive net negative economic impact.

Here in Canada, we of course are too familiar with massive power outage of 2003 and some minor ones when the Mother Nature strikes. Canada has capability to partner with India to develop its energy infrastructure. Green technology can be shared with India to help meet its energy needs. Solar, wind, water – are all sources of energy that can help meet the needs of growing Indian economy. At least in one Indian district, wind power came to rescue.

“With the instant removal of tripping, we immediately put in use the wind power and resumed power supply starting from hospitals to PHED water pumps, railways, high court and administrative offices”, said A K Gupta, MD, Jodhpur DISCOM. 

And of course there is plenty of blame going around with Opposition leader Narender Modi scornful of the government.

Bangladesh faces the same challenges of meeting its energy needs as its population grows. Stories of no electricity, lack of labour, downward spiralling economy has become the way of life for millions of Pakistani.