Current Projects
Past Projects
Shuar Solar Project
In February of 2004, EnerGreen Foundation Directors Jeff Arsenych, Jim Ireland, Michael Royce, and Brent Prenevost traveled to Ecuador to visit the Galapagos Islands and view the solar-powered Galapagueras, which EnerGreen helped fund. On this trip the Directors hoped to find more Ecuadorian projects for EnerGreen.
(Courtesy Green Empowerment)
Through EnerGreen's relationship with Fundacion Natura (an Ecuadorian NGO), the Directors were introduced to the Shuar people. The Shuar are an indigenous people who live in parts of the Amazon in both Ecuador and Peru. In Ecuador, over 8,000 indigenous Shuar live in small communities spread throughout the Cordillera del Condor region. In their communications with the Shuar, who for the most part have no electricity or potable water, the EnerGreen team realized that they had come across a group who were not only in great need of EnerGreen's assistance, but were also highly motivated to make positive changes in their communities.
As a result of EnerGreen's introduction to the Shuar, the EnerGreen Foundation, in conjunction with Fundacion Natura and Green Empowerment (our US-based sister organization), formed an agreement in March of 2004 with CTSHA, the self-governing organization of the Shuar. The agreement committed EnerGreen, Green Empowerment, and Fundacion Natura towards a tangible pilot project - a solar panel grid for the Numpatkaim community that will provide lighting for 33 families, an emergency radio, a battery charging station, and additional power for small tools or a small refrigerator for medicine. This initial agreement was expanded upon to include a second, similar pilot project in the Shuar village of Kunkup.
In January 2005, both pilot projects were successfully implemented by the Project Team. Each project was designed in consultation with community members so that their needs could be adequately addressed. Moreover, prior to the installation, extensive feasibility studies and detailed project designs were completed in addition to the in-depth and hands-on community trainings that were held during the installation. These measures were taken to ensure that both projects will have a long lasting success.
In Numpatkaim, 240 people now rely on solar energy to light their community centre, health clinic, power radio communication and charge batteries. In addition to the 240 people that this project had a direct affect on, there are 600 additional people indirectly affected by the project can now take advantage of the battery charging station when they visit Numpatkaim.
In Kunkup, ten homes and the community centre were outfitted with solar panels, directly benefiting 100 people and indirectly benefiting 40. This solar project represents a significant step in Kunkup's sustainable development. Kunkup is a community that holds true to its mission of protecting their environment and maintaining their culture while finding ways to improve their community's basic needs.
(Courtesy Green Empowerment)
Today, EnerGreen and the rest of the Project Team are working towards a long term program with the Shuar which will address the power and water needs of the over 8,000 indigenous Shuar as well as 4,000 habitants of neighbouring communities. The goal of this initiative is to carry out a program that will produce 32 renewable energy and potable water delivery systems in the CTSHA area, building upon the successful work in Numpatkaim and Kunkup with community organizational development, solar community centers, and renewable energy trainings. The program may include ram pumps, solar water pumps, micro-hydro and solar electrification depending on each community's needs.
