News Article
ISOFOTON PV Technology Gives Electricity To More Than 300,000 Students And Teachers In Rwanda
Diego Serrano, VP of ISOFOTON, together with Officials from Rwanda and the European Union participated in the inauguration of the ISOFOTON solar electric system for the Musenyi School located in Bugesera district, one of the 300 rural public schools from 27 different districts that will be supplied with electricity through photovoltaic solar technology developed by ISOFOTON. The entire project will benefit more than 300,000 students and teachers.
The project is part of the program called IREARPPP (Increase Rural Energy Access in Rwanda through Public" Private Partnerships) the goal of which is the electrification of rural areas in this country through public"private collaboration (PPC). It is co"financed by the European Union with 3.8 million Euros (EDF"EU funds) and by the Rwandan government with 2 million Euros. It includes the supply, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic electric systems in 300 rural schools totalling 520 kWp. ISOFOTON will undertake this project with the support of two local companies: SITECO and INTERTECH.
Solar energy is the best solution for a reliable and sustainable source of electric power for the communities, which are in very mountainous and highly populated regions. Rwanda, with a population of 11 million inhabitants, more than 9 million live in the countryside. Because the level of electrification is low, the Government has given priority to decentralized electrification programs. The EWSA has a major electrification plan for rural schools and hospitals that is financed by the CTB, the EU, the GTZ and the WB.
The technical specifications and requirements of this project are very demanding, and due to the strong partnerships between the contributors, the program will contribute to developing a substantial business fabric of installers and accompanying services that reinforce the installation of solar energy in the country. There will eventually be up to 16 erection and assembling teams working in the project, giving employment to more than 100 people. For this reason it is expected that at least 5 or 6 highly competent local companies will have been constituted on its completion. The project also recognizes importance of maintenance, a key to successful rural electrification projects. The huge commitment and implication of all the Rwandan institutions participating in the project will insure its success.
The award of this new project to ISOFOTON demonstrates the commitment of the company to sustainable development and strengthens its extensive experience in the development of rural electrification projects in developing countries. In Africa ISOFOTON has already carried out projects in Morocco, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mauritania and Mozambique.