Green Empowerment

The Andean region of Peru has some of the lowest electrification rates in the country. This means that its inhabitants must use kerosene lamps, which lower air quality, create health problems, and are expensive and inefficient. Green Empowerment works in this region to bring electricity for lighting homes, schools, and clinics using appropriate technology. For example, a small wind project in the village of Alumbre served as a pilot that will now be replicated throughout the area. International trainings are another important aspect of our work in Peru, as representatives from countries all over the world gather to learn about micro hydro and solar technologies at a demonstration center in Cajamarca.

Our partner in Peru, Soluciones Practicas-ITDG (Practical Action), is an organization that shares our values and that works in several countries doing similar work worldwide. Mutual respect for each other’s work led to our partnership in Peru, where we are both committed to bringing rural communities the benefits of electricity.

Wind turbines high in the Andes

Photoessay from Green Empowerment's trip to Peru in July 2006

International Solar and Micro Hydro Training in Peru (pdf)

For details see the Project Profile (pdf)

Read a Travel Log to Peru

Solar and Micro Hydro to Light Up 9 Villages in Peru's Highlands

Energy is inextricably linked to poverty alleviation. Yet in Peru approximately 70% of rural and isolated areas lack electricity. Since many areas of Peru are only accessible by pack animals or on foot, the national grid does not reach them. In isolated areas, renewable energy sources are more cost effective, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible than grid extension. The lack of access to energy in Peru's rural highlands is a contributing factor in maintaining the highest poverty level in the entire country.

Community Installations

The program has installed 8 Solar Power systems and 1 Micro Hydro system to generate sustainable power for:

• 4 Rural Health Clinics -- general lighting, and power for immunization refrigerators

• 9 Village Schools -- general lighting and power for educational equipment (e.g., DVD players)

• 4 Community Centers -- general lighting and power outlet

• 48 family homes -- general lighting

Broader Goals

Given the great need in Peru and elsewhere, and the increasing knowledge and skills in solar and micro hydropower implementation, this project has the potential to be widely replicated. Soluciones Practicas-ITDG intends to work with many other communities in the district and in other regions of the country to employ renewable energy for village electrification, as they have done in the past. Green Empowerment can continue to play a crucial role assisting communities achieve their energy needs in a cooperative and sustainable manner.

Renewable Energy Development From the Bottom Up

After a training and capacity-building visit on the capabilities of the solar power systems, the residents of each village selected their priorities for electrification. Green Empowerment and Soluciones Practicas-ITDG use a unique development model that promotes local leadership and community decision-making. The development model is from the bottom-up – driven by residents’ needs – rather than top-down, driven by political or policy decisions. The project's emphasis on the non-engineering aspects (e.g., training, community decision-making, and ownership) of village-scale renewable energy projects as the most critical element to long-term project success is unparalleled. While appropriate technology implementation is necessary to project success, it is not sufficient alone. Often the lack of local capacity, not the failure of equipment, is the reason projects fail.

Green Empowerment, Soluciones Practicas-ITDG, and the Chirinos District Municipality worked together to implement the program in July 2006. The installation of the power systems was a success, and the people are now enjoying their new, renewable energy.