A partnership, involving BP Solar and the Brazilian Government’s PRODEEM programme, is helping to bring energy to those who need it most, and is also exploring ways in which clean development mechanisms can encourage investment in cleaner energy solutions, thereby stimulating economic and social development in some of the poorest areas of the world without causing significant harm to the environment.
Nearly one third of the world’s population has no access to electricity. Another third has only poor access. The need to address this situation was made a priority at the World Summit on Sustainable Development at Johannesburg in 2002: partnerships between governments, businesses, civil societies and international organizations being identified as a key part of any effective action.
BP Solar has installed solar photovoltaics systems at 1,852 schools in the Northeast of Brazil – a remote, rural area in which living standards are exceptionally poor and access to conventional electricity supplies is an exception rather than a rule. The electrification provided by BP Solar brings much needed energy for lighting, refrigeration, television and other uses.
It has been estimated that approximately 60,000 children within the poorest areas of Brazil will benefit from the enhancement of educational facilities associated with this project. However, the impact is likely to be much wider, as the schools themselves act as community centres in these remote regions and adults attend at night to improve literacy and to access information e.g. through the news or Government educational television programmes on agricultural practices.
The learning gained from this project will be crucial in the development of solutions for other communities without access to energy, both in Brazil and elsewhere in the world. It also demonstrates how partnerships between businesses, Governments and NGOs can work successfully and lead to a more sustainable path of development.