Last Wednesday, USTDA (U.S. Trade and Development Agency) awarded a grant to Enèji Pwòp, S.A., a Haitian social enterprise, for a feasibility study to assess and rank the viability of developing pre-pay microgrids in approximately 100 Haitian towns.

"USTDA is pleased to support Haiti’s efforts to increase access to reliable electricity," declared USTDA Regional Director Nathan D. Younge. "Enèji Pwòp’s current microgrid operations and its plans for expansion demonstrate how industry can work with municipalities on innovative solutions to bring affordable power to rural and semi-urban populations."

The grant was signed by U.S. Ambassador Pamela A. White and Rachel McManus, the President of Enèji Pwòp, at a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Enèji Pwòp has selected "Energy and Security Group", a small, woman-owned firm headquartered in Reston, Va., with extensive experience in energy access, to carry out the feasibility study.

The main output from the study will be a detailed preliminary feasibility assessment and ranking of each of the 100 towns based on economics, physical infrastructure and community objectives. By determining the 40 best locations for near-term development of microgrids of approximately 100 kilowatts each, the study will enable Enèji Pwòp to prepare a fundable investment plan for microgrid expansion in Haiti.

Enèji Pwòp, which will also contribute financial resources toward the study, was founded with the mission of eradicating energy poverty in Haiti. Along with its partner organization EarthSpark International, it has operated Haiti’s first pre-pay microgrid since November 2012 in Les Anglais, using low-cost smart meter technology from U.S. company "SparkMeter" (Washington, District of Columbia).

L'USTDA aide les entreprises à créer des emplois aux États-Unis grâce à l'exportation de biens et de services américains pour des projets prioritaires de développement dans les économies émergentes. L'USTDA relie les entreprises américaines aux possibilités d'exportation en finançant des activités de planification de projets, des projets pilotes tout en créant une infrastructure durable et la croissance économique dans les pays partenaires.

HL/ HaitiLibre