To improve the quality of life in developing communities by pioneering ventures that provide access to appropriate sustainable energy technologies
VISION
Light in every home, clean air in every kitchen, power in every hand...
THE PROBLEM
While more than seventy percent of Namibia’s urban population has access to the electric grid, only fifteen percent of rural households are connected. Despite this enormous gap between urban and rural energy access, the target presented in Namibia’s third National Development Plan was only for twenty percent rural electrification by 2012. Put simply, Namibia lacks the resources to construct a transmission system to meet the needs of its rural population. Rural Namibians must either find alternatives to grid-based power or continue to live without electricity for the foreseeable future. In addition, the solution to Namibia's rural energy crisis must take into account climate change, as models predict that temperature increases will lead to increased climate variability in Namibia, stressing delicate ecosystems and rural economies.
Livelihood activities in rural Namibia can be made easier, safer and more efficient with the help of appropriate sustainable energy technologies (“ASETs”). Efficient cookstoves reduce emissions and decrease the amount of wood needed to cook a meal; solar-powered lights increase the amount of time available in a day for activities like reading and craft-making; crank radios allow access to information; and solar-charges allow the chance to charge cell phones and maintain contact with family members. There is no reason why rural Namibians should live and work without access to energy when the technology to help them is proven and affordable.
