Tuesday 30 August 2016

Solar to power rural Filipino homes

More than 40,000 poor households without electricity in the Philippines are to be powered by solar energy.

The World Bank’s Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) is providing $3 million (£2.3m), the European Union has granted $12.8 million (£9.8m) and an additional contribution is being made by the Department of Energy of the Philippines.

The project will target remote areas and isolated islands where marginalisation has increased by a lack of electricity, according to the World Bank.

A particular focus is the conflict-affected Mindanao where poverty is said to be disproportionately high and more than a quarter of people live without power.

Mara K. Warwick, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines said: “The certified solar packages will ensure not only lighting but will also provide households with energy efficient appliance packages including televisions, radios, phone chargers and fans.”