Energy is a basic requirement for communities to develop, yet more than 1.4 billion people worldwide have no access to clean, safe, energy sources. Many families spend a substantial proportion of their income on expensive and polluting fossil fuels to provide poor quality lighting and unreliable power. Indoor air pollution kills nearly 2 million people every year – mainly women and children.
Renewable World is a registered charity which works with local partners in Africa, Asia and Central America to tackle poverty by providing affordable small-scale renewable energy solutions (solar, wind and hydro) for remote communities. Projects are designed in consultation with communities, and users pay a small fee for the energy use, which forms a maintenance fund and ensures the long term sustainability of the project. Health is improved through the use of clean lighting sources (kerosene fumes are a major cause of indoor air pollution), because clean water can be pumped direct to households and because clinics can keep vaccines in fridges. Education is improved as children can study in the evenings, and schools can open later for adult education. Access to energy also enables communication and trade, and provides a stimulus for establishing new income generating ventures.
