Peru, where currently only some 66% of the population has access to electricity, will install solar panels in a National Photovoltaic Household Electrification Program for 500,000 of the poorest households.
The project, which was kicked off recently in Contumaza province with the installation of some 1600 solar panels, will eventually provide electricity to many Peruvians who now lack it.
It is estimated that by the end of 2016, 95% of the population will have at least basic electricity from a solar panel installed on their house.
According to Jorge Merino, the Minister of Energy and Mining, thanks to this program, 95 % of Peruvians will be provided with electricity by the end of 2016. To this end, 12.500 photovoltaic systems will be installed, delivering electricity for to some 500.000 families. The cost will be about 200 million dollar.
“With this program, we are prioritizing the poorest people,” Merino stated, “Those who don’t even have electric lighting and sill use oil lamps, which means they have to spend their money on fuel that is harmful to their health.”
Press reports:
Peru Unveils Plan to Use Solar Panels to Provide Electricity to 2 Million People
Perú: darán acceso a energía solar gratis a 2 millones de habitantes para el año 2016
An earlier report on the program:
Peru to Provide Free Solar Power to its 2 Million Poorest Citizens
