Haiti's Energy Sector Invites Alternative Energy Solutions

Last Monday and Tuesday I was invited to participate in the strategic planning process for the Government of Haiti's energy sector.  It was a fascinating workshop focused upon one goal: getting energy to Haitians.  President Martelly spoke to us thanking us for our assistance.  He pointed out that Haiti must develop energy solutions so that commerce, education and healthcare can move forward.  His administration has named energy as a key issue, and it was very clear that this group was focused on solutions, not talk.

The utility, EDH, has an overwhelmed grid which needs significant improvement to begin serving the population effectively.  It was clear that this will take years, and rather than wait the goal of this workshop was to consider alternative energy projects that could help bring energy to Haitians beyond the grid.  Sirona was invited to give a 20 minute presentation and it was very well received.  Rather than promote studies, we were able to give evidence of a concrete program that is providing an energy solution to 240 homes today in rural Haiti. During my presentation I turned on the light from a home kit.

It was, needless to say, very impressive that our IEEE/Sirona Haiti program had 100% payment for three months straight from our original customers.  There was no incident of theft, loss or damage to any of our equipment, and the waiting list exceeds 2,000 homes eager to participate.  I am thrilled to announce that following this workship we are working on several fronts to scale our pilot in the coming months and begin Haitian assembly of new SunBlazer units.  There were other solar, hydro and wind groups that gave impressive presentations.  My takeaway was this:  Haiti is keen on exploring and promoting alternative energy as it improves it's grid, and this is a very positive step for Haitians.

In a developed country the per capita energy consumption per year is 4,000Kw.  In Jamaica, a developing country, the per capita energy consumption per year is 2100Kw (basic electricity is available to the majority of Jamaican homes).  In Haiti, the figure is only 75Kw per capita, per year.  There is plenty of room for many solutions to work together, and I believe that in the future Haiti may become a leader in alternative energy for taking this innovative approach to their current problem.

I have been working on two UN Foundation working groups to advise the Secretary General on next years UN Campaign: The Year of Access to Sustainable Energy for All.  The goal of the campaign is to get sustainable energy to the 4 billion people who currently lack it by 2030.  It was exciting to see Haiti taking these steps, and I will not be surprised to see them lead the world in the future by supplying a great deal of their population with renewable energy. 

Comments

[Stampani Beton]

One can only congratulate for your determination. We all need more programs like this.

[Michelle Lacourciere]

Thanks Stampani, we look forward to watching the program grow and evolve. It is a joy to see our work paying off and improving lives.