Project Title:                 Alumbre Micro-Wind Project

Project Location:          Alumbre, Peru

Implementing Partner: Practical Action

Project Duration:          6 months

Project Summary:

The installation of twenty-one 100W micro-wind generators in the village of Alumbre, including cables, light switches and wall plugs providing families with clean renewable energy to 21 families.  The installation of one 500W micro-wind turbine at the school, providing power for lighting and 3 computers, improving the education of 79 children.  Any excess power is used to charge batteries for another 12 families.

Renewable World's Programme Intervention:

Renewable World's input into this programme intervention is through providing social investment and financing to programme partner Practical Action.

Country Profile:

Capital city:  Lima

Population:  29,200,000

Life Expectancy:  70

Population without access to electricity:  21%

Population living on less than $2 dollars a day:  30.6%

Adult Illiteracy Rate:  12.1%

(Source: UNDP Human Index Report)

Previous Situation:

The population of Alumbre used to reply entirely on candles, paraffin and dry batteries for their energy needs, which used to cost up to one-fifth of each families income, and were polluting and dangerous.  The level of community services, such as health and education facilities are generally very poor.

Project Development:

The project involved the entire communities’ participation.  Its successful completion has helped build a real sense of local ownership, which has contributed to its long-term success.  At the beginning of the project the most appropriate families were identified.  Trainings were carried out to develop the existing skills, as well as building local capacity to create an efficient long-term maintenance and management system, encouraging the productive use of energy.  The project involved the creation of a micro company to help manage the electricity services, by charging the users for their energy supply to ensure the sustainability of the installed systems by providing management and maintenance services.

The People:

“I used to complain about the wind because it took away the light, because my candles would blow out. Now the wind gives me light. When the project first began I had no idea wind could provide light. I am now over-joyed that I can charge my mobile phone and no longer have to use candles.”

Alvaro Hernandez

“I’m amazed that every corner of my house is now lit up.  I can cook, weave or knit, my children can study and do their homework at night and my husband can charge his mobile phone.  I pay 9 Soles ($3) every month to maintain the system, but I’ve never had any problems with the equipment.  Gilmer, the local technician, regularly checks the whole system to make sure it is working properly.”

Mrs. Laura