Greentech Lead America: Government of Haiti
launched a program to mount solar streetlights in towns such as Leogane,
St Marc, Miragoane, and Ft. Liberte. The program will be expanded throughout
the country in near future.
The installations are part of an innovative program that
aims to catalyze the decentralization of government services. Under the
auspices of Katye Pam Poze (My Neighborhood is Calm), the
installation has brought light for the first time to town squares, marketplaces
and streets in a country where most citizens have no regular access to
electricity.
“The Katye Pam Poze program aims to improve the living
conditions of thousands of Haitians through simple, inexpensive
measures. My intention is to continue until the town squares in at least
one city in each of Haiti’s ten departments are lit at night,”
said Thierry Mayard Paul, minister of interior and the
collectivities.
Haiti has an installed capacity of only 270 watts
and nearly all of it is generated by three large thermal
plants. Alternative energy sources in Haitihave been contemplated for
several years and more so following theJanuary 12, 2010 earthquake.