Renewable Energy: CSOs assess the state of solar installations in basic social services in Burkina

As part of the implementation of the “Voice for Change” program, three organizations, namely the Association for the Management of Resources and Wildlife of Comoé-Léraba (AGEREF/CL), the Albert-Schweitzer Ecological Center (CEAS Burkina) and the Caritas Dédougou Ocades, organized a workshop on September 29th, 2020 in Ziniaré to validate the study on the status of solar installations in the basic social services of the State (health, education). The aim of this study is to contribute to improving the access of populations to renewable energy services and equipment in Burkina Faso.

To have more elements to support their advocacy on the access of populations to renewable energy services. That is what motivated the above-mentioned organizations to commission a sixth study on the theme “Inventory of solar installations in the basic social services of the State (health, education) in Burkina Faso.” Thus, the workshop organized on September 29th, 2020 aimed at validating the results of the study. This approach is part of the “Voice for Change” program.

Find more about the project “Voice for Change” and the plan to build the infrastructure for renewable energy in Burkina Faso with the Born2Invest mobile app. Be the first to find the most important economic news in the world with our companion app.

The access to renewable energy is very important in Burkina

For the representative of the Association for the Management of Resources and Wildlife of Comoé-Léraba (AGEREF/CL), Yaya Ouattara, “they work with partners in the promotion of renewable energy. And it is through this approach that they want to bring decision-makers to make good decisions to better promote access of populations in rural areas to good renewable energy.”

For his part, SNV’s renewable energy advisor, Gilbert Kazinga, explained: “The Voice for Change program is an evidence-based advocacy program. The evidence from the studies aims to convince policy makers. Since the beginning of the program, we have conducted several studies. And with this study, we want to see, in basic services, after three to four years of installing the energy equipment, the state of its functioning. These results will be used to produce messages for policy makers.

The solar infrastructures in Burkina have failed

Indeed, in recent years, the government has made significant investments in the renewable energy sector. Thus, several basic centers have been equipped with photovoltaic electricity. However, it is clear that many of the solar infrastructures that have been built no longer function in these basic social services, particularly in the health and education sectors.

The results of this study will therefore enable CSOs to build arguments and messages to corroborate their advocacy to policy makers and the private sector for better quality renewable energy equipment and services.

“We will make a commitment to strengthen the capacity of users of these renewable energies,” promised the Vice-President of the Central Plateau Regional Council, Fatimata Zerbo, who chaired the opening of the workshop.

It has been five years since several civil society organizations have been involved in the “Voices for Change” program through various themes to work on the ground to bring well-being to the people.

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(Featured image by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay)

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First published in lefaso.net, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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