The first PV systems, such as this 100kW installation on the roof of a children’s hospital, have already been installed in Haiti.
Photo: Biohaus Stiftung
Haiti’s most important PV entrepreneurs gathered at an international solar conference in Port-au-Prince to call for clear regulations for the liberalization of the Haitian energy market, as well as solar-friendly policies to promote the technology’s potential. The event was organized by relief providers NPH Germany, The St. Luke Foundation and the Biohaus Foundation.
Only around 6% of Haiti’s population currently has access to electricity. State owned energy utility Électricité d’Haiti (EDH) has a generation capacity of 245 MW, about 80% of which is made up by diesel generators. The other 20% is supplied by the Péligre Hydroelectric power station in Artibonite, to the north of the capital.
Because of the continuous overload and extremely low stability of the state utility’s network, Haiti is registering growing demand for solar technology. Local micro-grids and individual installations are becoming increasingly important.
The two largest solar companies operating in the country are now complaining about the lack of political or legislative support from the Haitian state, as well as sluggish cooperation with the state utility regarding the feeding of solar generated power into the public grid.
“Theoretically, the state monopoly has long been abolished. The decision was, however, taken in a controversial process, so that its legal status and applications are still unclear,” explains Jean-Ronel Noël, whose company Enersa, founded in Port-au-Prince in 2007, produces solar modules and LED lighting. Enersa employs 30 engineers, and has already installed more than 5000 solar street lights, as well as residential PV systems, micro-grids and industrial facilities.
Despite falling prices in the PV market, initial investments for PV technology are still much higher than for diesel generators. Because of the unclear legal situation and lack of state support, potential investors are unsettled, says Noël.
Another entrepreneur, Jacques Sylvian, Managing Director at Green Energy Solutions, calls on the government to negotiate access to the World Bank’s Clean Technology Fund, which provides cheap loans to private individuals to cover renewable energy systems.
Nicolas Allien, who is responsible for energy in the Haitian Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, stressed the government’s intention to promote renewable energy both in terms of feeding into the state and creating micro-grids. One of the biggest challenges in improving Haitian’s access to electricity is upgrading the infrastructure to extend the grid’s capacity. The Haitian Government is currently investigating conditions for implementation of a tax exemption on the import of solar technology, according to Allien.
The declared goal is to develop up to 600,000 microgrids drawing power from renewable sources across the country. Currently, around 75% of non-state owned households use charcoal for energy production, which has resulted in increased soil erosion due to the large-scale deforestation.
By Cornelis Wüllenkemper (translated from German)
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COMMENT: HAITIAN-TRUTH.ORG
There is a Power Mafia that effectively controls the output of electricity in Haiti, fighting against anything that threatens their monopoly.
A couple of years ago there was a move to reduce per kilowatt costs through the introduction of Natural Gas. After a local businessman had invested millions in the Natural Gas concept the lady Director of EDH barred any thought of natural Gas. The Natural Gas would prevent a few from continuing their rape of Haitian society, making fortunes from electricity production through the use of fuel imported under Petrocaribe.
In fact, Haiti has natural gas resources that could be tapped. The last three governments have been provided details of this but ignore the possibilities. It is a matter of money and the Sogener and E-Power people do not want to lose their cash cow.
The solar panel possibility, generating power from free sunlight is a big threat and the monopolists, paying politicians big bags of money, will prevent Haiti from progressing along this line.
KEEP A STOCK OF CANDLES FOR THE TIME THE ELECTRICITY MAFIA BLACKMAILS US BY SHUTTING DOWN OUR SUPPLIES.
