Ben Dixon, Ashden Awards’ Programme Manager, wanted to share a quick note from his holiday in the Himalayas in Ladakh, Northern India:

I couldn’t get away from sustainable energy even in a remote part of the Indian Himalayas, so thought I would share these photos.

Solar home systems have been spread throughout the Ladakh region through programmes sponsored by the national and state government, international donors, and a number of NGOs (including the 2003 Ashden Award winner Barefoot College). I heard about exciting plans for further roll-out of solar power, and other sustainable energy opportunities including wind and geothermal power. This region has huge energy challenges as it is cut off by snow for half the year, not connected to the national grid, and has little in the way of wood resources. So with the right support and implementation it should be a great sustainable energy success story - watch this space for another Ashden Award!