Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context
Summary. This study examines renewable energy interventions in Indian rural communities through an energy-water-food nexus lens. The research finds that top-down renewable energy policies have failed to measure livelihood outcomes effectively. Solar pumps emerge as the most successful intervention, delivering benefits across energy, water, and food production. The analysis shows decentralized renewable systems outperform grid extensions economically, and that interventions succeed when communities possess strong social, financial, and human assets. Bottom-up approaches tailored to local livelihoods prove more effective than standardized programs.
Cite this article
Thomas, S., Sahoo, S. S., Thomas, S., G, A. K., & Awad, M. M.. (2025). Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context. Energy Nexus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421
Thomas, Sanju, et al. “Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context.” Energy Nexus, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421.
Thomas, Sanju, Sudhansu S. Sahoo, Sheffy Thomas, Ajith Kumar G, and Mohamed M. Awad. 2025. “Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context.” Energy Nexus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421.
@article{thomas-2025-indian-rural-livelihoods-renewable-energy,
title = {Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context},
author = {Sanju Thomas and Sudhansu S. Sahoo and Sheffy Thomas and Ajith Kumar G and Mohamed M. Awad},
journal = {Energy Nexus},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context AU - Sanju Thomas AU - Sudhansu S. Sahoo AU - Sheffy Thomas AU - Ajith Kumar G AU - Mohamed M. Awad JO - Energy Nexus PY - 2025 DO - 10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421 UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100421
- Countries
- India
- Regions
- Asia
- Categories
- energy, food-systems, policy
- Added
- 2026-04-28