Within India, the state of Uttar Pradesh is ground zero for energy access. With a population of 200 million people and a low level of human development, Uttar Pradesh faces difficult problems in rural electrification, electricity distribution, and the expansion of clean cooking fuels. For ISEP, the state is thus a natural priority. In close collaboration, with CEEW, ISEP is currently exploring innovative solutions to the problem of rural electrification and the poor technical and financial performance of electricity distribution companies. Projects include:

• In collaboration with the Global Subsidies Initiative and the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, ISEP is conducting a large-scale survey on public opinion about pricing of energy. The survey will inform practical, politically feasible reform strategies in the state.
• As part of the collaboration with CEEW, ISEP is preparing a study on integrating rural electrification and power sector reform in Uttar Pradesh. The study uses institutional analysis, rigorous randomized controlled trials, and large-scale surveys to help the state government universalize energy access without bankrupting the ailing electricity distribution companies.