EU to provide isolated communities with solar energy

In Brussels, ambassadors for seven of the most economically marginalised countries in Latin America met to launch a new sustainable energy programme in conjunction with the EU. Guatemala, Perú, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Paraguay signed up to Euro-Solar, a pioneering initiative to bring electricity to isolated rural communities. Honduras was left out of the deal, illustrating how the currently military coup is isolating the country from international help. With poor infrastructure, limited funds and lack of political will, sustainable energy sources appear be the most viable solution for remote communities. 

The EU will pick up the tab for most of the estimated $49.9 million cost of the scheme. Euro-Solar proposes to bring electricity to 300 thousand people in 600 poor rural communities without access to the national grid. The uses for these renewable energy sources range from lighting to keeping vaccines refrigerated. A regular power supply is of course essential to successful business and economic growth. 

Since the state coup at the end of June the EU has suspended all bilateral aid to Tegucigalpa, keeping all contact with the de facto head of government, Roberto Micheletti, to an absolute minimum. Honduras is rated as the third poorest country in the Western hemisphere after Haiti and Nicaragua; it is estimated that only 37% of the rural population has access to electricity.