The Energy Inclusion Initiative
ADA and MicroEnergy International (MEI) are joining their expertise in microfinance and renewable energy to create the The Energy Inclusion Initiative. This innovative project aims to increase access to facilities using green energy for 10,000 micro-entrepreneurs in Peru.
Through the services of two microfinance institutions, FONDESURCO and Caja Huancayo, micro-entrepreneurs have access to microcredit (100-800 euros) for the acquisition of certified energy facilities: solar water heater, solar coffee dryer, low consumption oven, etc. With this equipment, new development opportunities are offered to micro-enterprises, which contribute to local economy while preserving the environment and public health.
The ADA-MEI partnership
ADA and MEI started their collaboration in 2010 through the development of the " MicroEnergy Atlas", a tool that identified potential markets for the renewable energy sector related to microfinance, in areas where infrastructure is lacking. The atlas pays special attention to the situation of potential beneficiaries, by examining the capacity of absorption and the benefits of access to green energy for micro-entrepreneurs.
Thus Peru has been designated as the most suitable country to implement a pilot project combining microfinance and green energy.
On the field: solar water heater
At 3,700 meters above sea level on the mountains of Chivay, the small town of Callalli is a tourist destination. Ines Panibra puts up travelers in passing in her house, an activity that provides little income to this mother of two children. The MFI FONDESURCO proposed a micro-credit for the purchase of a solar water heater, so that Ms Panibra would have the opportunity to develop her micro-enterprise.
Today, the inn is equipped with hot water: an additional service that has allowed her to increase the price of the night by 20%. These additional earnings improve the household’s income, but not only. Ines is full of ideas for the future: with other energy facilities, she would like to offer her customers lighting and warm homemade meals.
- Solar energy water heater, on the heights of Callalli (©: MEI)
- Ines, micro-entrepreneur of Callalli Peru (©: MEI)
In collaboration with
10,000 potential customers
Through the services of microfinance institutions FONDESURCO (www.fondesurco.org.pe) and Caja Huancayo (www.cajahuancayo.com.pe), the The Energy Inclusion Initiative should allow 10,000 micro-entrepreneurs in Peru to access green energy by 2014.
Key figures
- 84% of rural Peruvian households (nearly 2 million households) use firewood for cooking
- 6.5 million Peruvians (22.5% of the total population) do not have access to electricity
- With 3.1 million active borrowers, the microfinance sector in Peru is strongly developed
- Peru receives some of the highest annual sunshine in the world (2,300 kWh/m2 average)
Contact
Contact ADA via the contact form, or by phone: +352 45 68 68 1
