Hinterland electrification programme enters second phase -- 11,000 panels for distribution, 355 persons from 184 Villages trained
Georgetown, GINA, October 15, 2011
Source - GINA
Villagers in training for the Hinterland Electrification Programme
One hundred and eighty four hinterland communities of Guyana, where the majority of households are still without any form of electricity, are now one step closer to receiving Solar Home Systems. The first batch of 11,000 systems earmarked for free distribution has begun to arrive in Guyana.
This intervention is a key priority identified within the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and will usher-in the second stage of the Hinterland Electrification Programme (HEP). The HEP was launched in 2005 when the Government of Guyana sought to explore options for the sustainable electrification of the hinterland, as part of the national Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP).
The programme being executed by the Hinterland Electrification Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister will empower villagers with the necessary skills in the use and maintenance of these sustainable energy sources. As such, over the past two months some 355 persons from 184 villages from the benefiting Hinterland communities were trained in the assembly, installation and maintenance of the systems.
Pilot testing took place after the HEP launch and 65W Photo-Voltaic (PV) (solar) Home Systems emerged as the most feasible option for electrification for households. As such, 11,000 such systems will be distributed in isolated communities that remain too distant and lack sufficient load to be connected to the grid system. In time, larger panels will be fitted in primary schools and health centres. To date, 1,729 households have benefitted from the HEP, 21 primary schools and 2 health centers.
Assessment of the pilot programme which concluded in 2010 revealed that the solar systems helped to improve the quality of life in many households, with increases in appliances owned, increased reading, completion of school assignments and listening to educational programmes. Communities also saw marked increase in economic activities such as sewing, knitting and cake making.
Each package to be distributed includes a Photo-Voltaic Panel, a 6A-12V DC charge controller, a 67 Ah -12V deep cycle gelled electrolyte battery fitted with suitable terminals, sunlight resistant cable, 10 A, 1-pole DC circuit breaker, 9W-12VDC compact fluorescent lamps and a DC lightning arrester, with a unit cost of US$241.
Improving energy access is recognized as a key area for expanding access to affordable, clean energy which plays a crucial role in realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and achieving the objectives of sustainable development under Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.
Georgetown, GINA, October 15, 2011
Source - GINA
Villagers in training for the Hinterland Electrification ProgrammeOne hundred and eighty four hinterland communities of Guyana, where the majority of households are still without any form of electricity, are now one step closer to receiving Solar Home Systems. The first batch of 11,000 systems earmarked for free distribution has begun to arrive in Guyana.
This intervention is a key priority identified within the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and will usher-in the second stage of the Hinterland Electrification Programme (HEP). The HEP was launched in 2005 when the Government of Guyana sought to explore options for the sustainable electrification of the hinterland, as part of the national Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP).
The programme being executed by the Hinterland Electrification Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister will empower villagers with the necessary skills in the use and maintenance of these sustainable energy sources. As such, over the past two months some 355 persons from 184 villages from the benefiting Hinterland communities were trained in the assembly, installation and maintenance of the systems.
Pilot testing took place after the HEP launch and 65W Photo-Voltaic (PV) (solar) Home Systems emerged as the most feasible option for electrification for households. As such, 11,000 such systems will be distributed in isolated communities that remain too distant and lack sufficient load to be connected to the grid system. In time, larger panels will be fitted in primary schools and health centres. To date, 1,729 households have benefitted from the HEP, 21 primary schools and 2 health centers.
Assessment of the pilot programme which concluded in 2010 revealed that the solar systems helped to improve the quality of life in many households, with increases in appliances owned, increased reading, completion of school assignments and listening to educational programmes. Communities also saw marked increase in economic activities such as sewing, knitting and cake making.
Each package to be distributed includes a Photo-Voltaic Panel, a 6A-12V DC charge controller, a 67 Ah -12V deep cycle gelled electrolyte battery fitted with suitable terminals, sunlight resistant cable, 10 A, 1-pole DC circuit breaker, 9W-12VDC compact fluorescent lamps and a DC lightning arrester, with a unit cost of US$241.
Improving energy access is recognized as a key area for expanding access to affordable, clean energy which plays a crucial role in realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and achieving the objectives of sustainable development under Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.
