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The Community Energy Resilience Initiative (CERI), which has just launched three solar and storage microgrid systems with a financing model that combines grant and loan, wants to expand its reach to around 350 installations.
Today, the Puerto Rico Community Energy Resilience Initiative (CERI) has launched the first three solar and storage microgrid systems in the country.
The Community Energy Resilience Initiative (CERI) is a collaboration between the Puerto Rico Community Foundation, RMI (an independent non-profit organization founded in 1982 with the aim of transforming the worlds energy systems through market-driven solutions) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), with the support of Enel North America.
To make the system affordable in low- and middle-income communities, and improve energy resiliency in critical facilities, a combined grant and loan financing model is offered, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The participating financial institutions for the three pilot installations are Banco Popular and CooPACA.
The first three pilot installations have taken place in Arecibo, Patillas and Utuado, and were selected following a merit-based process that focused on their role in the community and services provided during outages. The team plans to expand its reach to about 350 installations.
The Pre Vocational and Industrial Institute (IPVI) serves nearly 2,000 students and community members a year, offering educational and social services to the elderly, the homeless, and women and children. The IPVI served as a key recovery point in Arecibo after Hurricane Maria, ensuring the distribution of much-needed aid to the community. The IPVI project will be funded through a combination of local grants and donations from Enel North America.
For its part, the Valentín Service Station, located in Mameyes, Utuado, the only gas station and mini-supermarket in the area, provides services to five neighboring communities that are far from urban centers.
Finally, the Jomari Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in Patillas, which offers computer and printing services, in addition to selling, delivering and consulting medicines.
The CERI team plans, in this first phase, to expand the portfolio of pilot projects to between 20 and 40 projects, carried out in coordination with local financial institutions, to continue developing this model and obtain the necessary efficiency to equitably expand the benefits of the energy resilience. CERI is looking for partners to join the effort and provide support. Those interested can send an email to CERI@rmi.org.
The University of Panama and Greenwood Energy announced the launch of the Alma Mater public-private partnership for the development of a new large-scale solar plant in David, Panama.
The University of Panama (UP) and Greenwood Energy (Libra Groups renewable energy subsidiary for Latin America), announced the launch of the public-private partnership Alma Mater for the development of a new large-scale solar plant in David, Panama.
The solar plant ? is part of the “Framework Agreement for Academic and Technical Collaboration” signed between GWE and UP, through which GWE will provide financing to UP over a period of several years to support the continued development of the renewable energy sector of Panama, including scholarships, research and development programs, training, internships, laboratory equipment, and more. Once the agreement ends in year 20, ownership of the solar installation will be transferred to the UP for the rest of the plants useful life cycle.
The 40 MW solar project, which is currently in the pre-construction stage, is expected to break ground in the third quarter of 2022.
The solar plant will cover an area of ??40 hectares owned by UP, and will supply clean energy to power the university for more than 35 years.
This development will be combined with nearly 30 million dollars of academic and technical support during the first 20 years of operation to promote and grow the future of renewable energy in Panama. |
