British Embassy inaugurates innovative solar energy project in remote community
The UK-backed renewable energy project in Ocoruro (Arequipa) expanded electricity to one of Peru’s most remote regions.
The UK-backed renewable energy project in Ocoruro (Arequipa) expanded electricity to one of Peru’s most remote regions.
The British Embassy in Peru, with the technical assistance of UK-based NGO Practical Solutions, this week unveiled a UK-backed renewable energy project in the community of Ocoruro (Puyca District, La Unión Province, Arequipa Region). The project expands electricity to one of the country’s most remote regions. It was inaugurated in presence of the British Ambassador in Peru, Anwar Choudhury; the Regional Governor of Arequipa, Yamila Osorio; and the Vice Minister of Energy, Angela Grossheim.
Located at an altitude of over 4,000 metres, Ocoruro is a very remote and difficult place to access. It is not connected to the electricity grid, but the photovoltaic technology installed by the Embassy has allowed 14 families to tap into the areas’ solar energy. This innovative initiative guarantees the sustainability of the project through the local management of a rural electricity services company.
British Ambassador Anwar Choudhury said:
I am very proud of this project, which has been made possible thanks to British innovation and should serve as a model for future projects in Peru with the aim of providing electricity to remote communities off the electricity grid. The technology exists, the installation is cheap and easy, and it works perfectly in rural areas like Ocoruro.
Common areas of the community of Ocoruro, such as the main dining room, the primary school and kindergarten, the medical post, and homes now have access to electricity.
The head of the community stated that the power will now be used for the shearing of alpacas, yarn, and the lighting of animal pens, among other uses. Ocoruro’s schools will be able to use computers and multimedia equipment.
The inhabitants of Ocoruro greeted the authorities with a Quechua welcome dance and expressed their gratitude for the British Embassy’s interest in their community.