Renewable Energy-Based Rural Electrification Leading to Poverty Alleviation, Women s Empowerment and Conflict Mitigation (Philippines)

Transcription

1 Renewable Energy-Based Rural Electrification Leading to Poverty Alleviation, Women s Empowerment and Conflict Mitigation (Philippines) By Ellen S. Bomasang-Son SDN Week and Learning Week 2006 Empowered Women Bring Solutions: Looking at Sustainable Energy through the Gender Lens 10 November 2006

2 Presentation Outline A. The AMORE Program B. RE-based Rural Electrification Leading to Poverty Alleviation and Women s Empowerment C. RE-based Rural Electrification Leading to Conflict Mitigation D. Conclusions

3 Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) Program Co-funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Mirant Philippines Winrock International (Implementing Organization) Phase 1: ($8,000,000) Phase 2: ($10,000,000) Location: Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Mission Statement: To contribute to peace and development initiatives in Muslim Mindanao by improving quality of life in unelectrified rural communities through sustainable renewable energy projects and effective community organizing

4 AMORE Sites

5 Background: Mindanao Largest island in the Philippines Home to roughly 20 million Filipinos, more than 45% of whom live below the poverty threshold Over 1400 communities ( (barangays) remain unelectrified, representing roughly 55% of the total un-electrified communities in the whole country. Lack of social services and economic opportunities; lowest level of public services (e.g., electricity, education, water, health)

6 Background: Mindanao High social and political unrest; political and military conflict Former separatist rebel communities, long-time rebel soldiers attempting civilian lives and livelihoods Some areas still contested/subject of peace negotiations High risk of violence, including political, inter- clan conflicts, robbery, kidnapping Heavily armed population with military weapons Many private companies limit activities for safety and security reasons Lack of electric power often a constraint to rural economic and social development, and electric service is highly desired by rural communities

7 Background: Mindanao (continued) The traditional approach of extending the power lines to connect remote barangays and communities is not cost effective for many rural communities. Due to the remoteness of communities and low loads, many rural communities are most economically served by "off-grid" RE systems, such as solar photovoltaics and micro-hydro

8 AMORE: Project Objective Support electrification of 400 rural communities (200 in Phase 1 and 200 in Phase 2) using RE for lighting, productive uses, social infrastructure using solar PV and microhydro technologies

9 AMORE Sustainability Mechanisms Development and strengthening of community organizations Strengthening of existing local organizations (Mindanao-based NGOs) TA, demonstration and training on productive-use use RE applications TA, demonstration and training on social RE applications Establishment of technical, financing and marketing linkages Federation of community organizations Supporting establishment of solar parts and service centers Federation capacity-building Women and youth empowerment

10 Services Basic electrification-lighting/hh lighting/hh uses Income-generating livelihood activities Social/community services (street lighting, potable water, water disinfection, communications, school electrification, health clinics) Other possible interventions e.g. household energy and indoor air pollution

11 Community Level Institutions Lack of producer cooperatives and other organizations in AMORE communities BRECDAs (Barangay Renewable Energy Community Development Associations) are created under the project BRECDAs operate and maintain energy systems and pursue related economic and social development activities

12 Barangay Renewable Energy and Community Development Association (BRECDA) BRECDA composed of electrified households, with elected Chairperson and Treasurer, employs local operator or technician Manages fee collection, O&M fund accounts Systems/service is subsidized, but users must pay monthly fees: $3 (U.S.)/month for service via battery charging station (BCS); $5.40/month for solar home system (SHS) O&M fund supports repair, partial cost of battery replacement, expansion of service to new households BRECDAs formally register, establish bank accounts Winrock provides training in financial management, leadership, and livelihood project preparation

13 Training

14 RE as a Tool for Poverty Alleviation and Women Empowerment 1. Household/Community Facility Electrification 2. RE for Productive and Social Uses

15 1. Household and Community Facility Electrification Electrification of 200 barangays using solar home systems, battery charging stations, and microhydro under Phase 1 5,534 households over beneficiaries served Additional 200 barangays programmed under Phase 2 (using SHS and microhydro) Extended hours for home-based tasks, especially by women; other home-based income generating activities (e.g. mat weaving) Extended study hours for children; adult education (both men and women); Increased access to information

16 Household and Community Facility Electrification Women now play a more active role in planning and implementing projects; have assumed leadership role in many BRECDAs

17 RE for Productive and Social Uses Economically and socially productive use of renewable energy in order to increase rural incomes and development, and supports social or community applications of renewable energy in order to improve quality of life and build human capital.

18 Two Main Types of RE for Productive Uses Projects Productive use of renewable energy: mostly pilot and demonstration projects Solar thermal and biomass thermal for drying Micro-hydro for milling, workshop Pumping/micro-irrigation irrigation for high-value crops Aquaculture Livelihood projects w/no energy component Improved seaweed production (Lantay( Lantay,, credit) Gravity-fed micro-irrigation irrigation for vegetables * Can also provide TA for non-re energy interventions (e.g. diesel- powered ice-making)

19 Productive Use Projects Work with BRECDAs/producers to assess options Build on existing economic activities Seaweed production Fishing, aquaculture Agriculture

20 RE for Social Applications 1) Telephony Supervised payphones in central community locations Cellular and fixed satellite technologies Six GSM payphones and two fixed satellite phones installed by November 2004 Modest revenue generators for most BRECDAs with donated handset Expanded rollout under development for Phase II

21 RE for Social Applications 2) Distance education Collaboration with Knowledge Channel, emedia Dual-use use cinema (TV-DVD) for both entertainment and educational purposes

22 RE for Social Applications 3. Potable water supply 4. Water disinfection

23 Renewable Energy as a Tool for Conflict Mitigation: Success Stories

24 1) Barangay Kalumenga, Datu Paglas,, Maguindanao Target of fierce military operations due to location Residents lived a nomadic life, moving from one place to another to avoid being caught in the crossfire. AMORE came into community in Sep 2003 Better quality lights, community organization Boosted productivity thru high value vegetable farming as an alternative source of income and a solar dryer facility Improved education through electronic- based instructional materials powered by solar PV technology

25 2) Barangay Chua, Bagumbayan,, Sultan Kudarat In January 2005, AMORE completed an 8-kilowatt 8 microhydro facility in Sitio Senagandal,, part of Barangay Chua. Energized 52 households, two schools, one mosque, one health clinic, one Madrasah school, three commercial/ industrial establishments, 20 streetlights, and a battery charging station. Kumander Gubat (MNLF commander) became the chairman of the Barangay Renewable Energy and Community Development Association (BRECDA); he chaired the Christian-Muslim dialogue Community has been peaceful

26 3) Barangay Masulot,, Sultan sa Barongis,, Maguindanao Community once a battle zone between the Moro National Liberation Front, an Islamic separatist group, and the government forces In March 2005, the village was electrified with stand-alone alone solar home systems Payment collections high, channeled into O&M Fund, to finance procurement of more systems for other households in their community. No evacuation has taken place and the residents are enjoying peace and order.

27 3) Barangay Masulot,, Sultan sa Barongis,, Maguindanao (cont d) BRECDA office established BRECDA has also put up a communal farm, which surrounds its office and is beginning to turn up profits for the community Women BRECDA members organized themselves into a smaller women s group with their own membership fees and already managed to launch a fish drying project. MILF Commander assigned to the barangay, Datu Abdul, offered his troops to help in road construction effort

28 Conclusions Program has increased income earning opportunities and enabled livelihood diversification Utilisation of PV and microhydro technologies have reduced households expenditures on energy at the household level Women s s time spent in survival activities has been freed up Lighting permits income generation beyond daylight hours, particularly for women Women have assumed more active role in community; leadership role in many cases Rural industries have been established Agricultural productivity has increased Unstable peace and order still an issue, but success stories growing in number

29 Quantification of Program Impacts Is the freed up time being translated into increased productivity and incomes? To what extent are improved energy services being utilised for direct productivity gains for agro processing, transport, and cooking How many jobs have been created, and how much has income increased as a result of RET use?

30 Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy Program