A total of 2,375 inhabitants of the Powaikoru, Moraikobai and Shulinab communities in Guyana are benefited with photovoltaic systems, which were implemented through the pilot projects, executed with the OLACDE Rural Electrification Methodology (Methodology of Management of Rural Energization Projects with Inclusion of Social Variables and Corporate Social Responsibility).
These projects, which are promoted by OLACDE and financed thanks to the support of the Canadian Cooperation, focused on the implementation of refrigeration systems to preserve the products of hunting and fishing; and in equipment for the guest house where people interested in ecotourism activities. Main needs that were defined by the inhabitants.
In close relationship with the country’s energy authorities, especially with Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), some communities were pre-selected to be beneficiaries of the pilot project.
In accordance with the characteristics of the communities and the available energy potential, various photovoltaic systems were also selected to provide energy to productive projects for the use of electricity; with the purpose of promoting the sustainable development of the participating communities.
Through one of the social variables that are handled in the Methodology, their real situations were evidenced in order to create awareness of the actions in which they are involved and affect them in order to achieve an alternative that improves their quality of life.
The empowerment that was generated in the inhabitants of the communities, through the projects, was key in the sustainable rural development, since it contributed to turn them into protagonists of their own change towards a better collective future.
The gender issue played a fundamental role in the implementation of the projects, since equality of participation is part of the inclusion variable, which aims for equity. What equality implies to say; choose and be elected; and in accessing benefits and costs related to the project.
Through different state institutions, of Guyana, capacity building was carried out for the inhabitants; focused on the development of projects that generate income and the chain of other productive processes within the communities.
Electricity coverage data in Latin America
Latin America and the Caribbean has electricity coverage of 96.7%. Despite this scope, there are currently around 20.5 million people without access to electricity.
According to IDB data, 90% of the inhabitants of the region who do not have access to electricity are located in rural areas, which indicates that around 18.5 million rural inhabitants lack this service.
An important percentage of this population is in a situation of poverty and / or extreme poverty. This situation is aggravated by the lack of infrastructure to carry energy services and the difficult conditions of the population to pay for these services.
Guyana in 2016 reached an electric coverage of 88.2%.
Department of Communication
and Institutional Relations
gabriela.jarrin@OLACDE.org
