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Guatemala Shares its Experience with Peru
Best Practices – Guatemala Shares its Experience with Peru
In 2006, Fundacion Solar in Guatemala developed a GVEP Energy Action Plan for the area called Franja Transfersal del Norte. The main experiences gained through this process were shared with the Peruvian MEM (Ministry of Energy and Mines) led GVEP Platform during the first Biofuels and Renewable Energy Congress which took place during the month of May 2007 in Lima, Peru. The MEM-GVEP Platform met again on the 15th September 2007 and outlined a process to draft a new energy strategy as well as identifying immediate actions for implementation.
One of the main objectives of GVEP is the provision of energy services for poverty reduction. One of the poorest areas of Guatemala was chosen as a pilot area, where electricity interconnection is not scheduled within the next ten years. A multi-sectorial group, led by the Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM), worked with the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, Economy, as well as private sector representatives, NGOs and civil society.
The first important key to success was obtaining the support of a high level governmental figure, in Guatemala’s case the Minister of Energy and Mines. It is important to have effective convening power so that all related parties participate at a decision taking level, creating the multi sectorial work group.
Reliable country information was used together with poverty maps prepared by the World Bank. A new “richness” or “wealth” map was prepared. This map was developed to determine the existence of infrastructure to be incorporated into an action plan, the potential for productive use, the existence of renewable energy resources, possible productive chains, agricultural crops and potential for future crops, etc.
A bottom-up analysis was made to reflect the necessities and requirements from the community’s point of view. The stakeholders were consulted at every level: municipalities, community organizations, NGO’s and house to house visits were made. A valuable methodology was developed to gather information that would support the GVEP program.
Once this information had been gathered, the next stop was to select the communities that were to be developed in the first phase. A set of criteria was defined taking into consideration the following issues: i) geopolitical: high percentage of inhabitants in extreme poverty; ii) community participation interest, iii) the existence of a social organization, iv) offers of economic support from the local municipality, v) security in land holding, and vi) technical: potential and access to potential energy sources.
A complex methodology was developed which was shared with the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines through GVEP Platform workshops, with the support of multiple institutions, including the SECCI (Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative) initiative pertaining to the IDB and Practical Action ( ex ITDG).
With GVEP International support, an open communication has been maintained with the Peruvian platform and specific support has been provided in methodology application. There has been a close relationship between GVEP Central America (through Fundacion Solar) and South America (through the CINER - Renewable Energy Information Center). Even though equal experiences cannot be replicated from country to country, thanks to this type of alliances, lessons can be shared as well as process development, tailored for each project.
For a summary of all the GVEP Activities in Peru, please click on the languages : English version/Spanish version.