Solar technology to benefit Pech community in Honduras
CABEI’s ARECA Project will promote clean energy production and provide electricity to 121 indigenous families through the use of solar technology.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the Project "Accelerating Renewable Energy Investment in Central America and Panama (ARECA)," delivered a study denominated "Identification and Development of a Renewable Energy Generation Solution for the Benefit of the Pech Community" to representatives of the indigenous Pech community.
This project’s first stage was executed with US$10 thousand in non-reimbursable funds from Project ARECA. The funds were used to conduct a study to identify and develop a renewable energy generation solution to meet the electricity needs of the Pech community. The project’s total value is US$80 thousand dollars.
The Pech community of Pueblo Nuevo Subirana can be found 25 kilometers north of the municipal head of Dulce Nombre de Culmí in the Department of Olancho, Honduras. It is located on a small plateau in Sierra de Agalta, where nearby the Marañones creek is born; the creek is a tributary of the Wampú River, which flows from north to south. In addition, the Paulaya River also originates in the surrounding areas; it is the largest tributary of the Sico Tinto o Negro River.
It is important to mention that the project’s second phase is programmed to begin in the near future. It will involve the construction and installation of renewable energy generation systems, which will improve the quality of life of the community’s inhabitants by providing electricity service to 121 indigenous families, 1 basic educational center, 4 schools, 2 kindergartens, 3 churches and the community health care center.
Likewise, the project’s execution will contribute to the area’s economic and social development (employment generation and poverty reduction through productive activities, as a result of renewable energy generation).
This effort constitutes a crucial achievement with regard to the consolidation of external regional development funds provided by international organizations, such as UNDP-GEF. CABEI uses these funds to promote competitiveness and regional integration, which are fundamental axes in the Bank’s 2015-2019 Institutional Strategy, "Integrating Sustainable Development and Competitiveness."
CABEI/ARECA promotes initiatives that support sustained economic growth by implementing renewable energy generation projects. It has channeled new renewable energy investments on the order of US$179,156,117, which represent a generation of 65MW installed capacity and the elimination of 182,757 Tons of CO2/year from the atmosphere.
The ARECA Project is a tripartite initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and CABEI, as executing organization. It supports the financing of small renewable energy projects that produce less than 10 MW.
