Clean energy
British NGO scoops Climate Change Award for clean energy technologies

afrol.com, 24 November - In the Hague this week, a British-based NGO received a high level award for an energy programme in developing countries which could provide important lessons for the use of the Clean Development Mechanism under the Climate Change Convention. 

ITDG - the international development agency which helps people use technology for practical answers to poverty - became the proud recipient of a "2000 Climate Technology Leadership Award" from the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).

ITDG is an international non-governmental organisation working in Africa, Asia and Latin America which specialises in helping people to use technology for practical answers to poverty. With ITDG poor women and men can develop "technology which puts people first."

The award was presented to ITDG's Teo Sanchez (alongside awards to the national energy efficiency programmes of China, Brazil and Russia) for it's innovative programme of work in Peru. "It recognises the organisation's outstanding contribution in the 
transfer of clean energy technologies to remote isolated communities - and the establishment of innovative financing mechanisms," said Abraham Haspel, the CTI's Chair, who added, "we were impressed with your accomplishments in accelerating the deployment and diffusion of climate-friendly technologies, especially into the developing world".

The programme started by demonstrating the success of small-scale rural electrification schemes. Finance was then secured from the Inter-American Development Bank for similar schemes, which in turn released other funds from new donors to expand the project. Over 15,000 people have benefited from this work which has now become a model for large-scale rural electrification through self-help schemes.

ITDG's Ray Holland elaborates. "ITDG works around the world to promote sustainable solutions for the 2 billion people in the developing world who lack any access to grid electricity. Our research suggests that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) could provide the front-end costs of renewable energy schemes which are often the most cost-effective sources of power. However, the process must be simple and transparent".

ITDG's work in Peru shows how these funds could be used to overcome barriers to the large-scale electrification of remote communities through schemes like solar, wind, micro-hydro and other small-scale renewable energy initiatives.

In Africa, ITDG is especially present in Kenya, where it has been conducting field testing of its new solar lantern. The lanterns were supplied with a solar module, radio, and a dc-dc converter for using the radio from the module. The tests showed that most of the users noted that the monthly expenditure on the use of kerosene was reduced dramatically. 53 % of people saw a decrease in the amount they spent on lighting once they had the lantern. ITDG will start providing it on a later stage.

Source: Based on ITDG

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