Post by Laoupdate on Jun 13, 2005 9:55:48 GMT -5
Sunlabob wins World Bank Energy Contest
To know more about Sunlabob, click at this link:
www.sunlabob.com/
AFTER a month of selection and a tough fight with entries worldwide, Laos¡Ç Sublabob has emerged a winner in the World Bank Energy Contest.
The World Bank ¡ÈDevelopment Marketplace¡É contest began in May 2005, and this is the first time a Lao project was submitted by Sublabob rural energy services.
Of the total 2,700 entries from 136 countries, 78 projects have been selected to present their ideas in Washington.
Sunlabob, a solar project for rental service, is among the final 27 winners of this contest, and has been awarded the maximum possible financial contribution of USD150,000. Furthermore, it was acknowledged as one of the most exciting projects by James D. Wolfensohn, the outgoing World Bank President.
The Development Marketplace¡Çs approach complements the World Bank¡Çs broader work by focussing on grassroots initiatives and working directly with local organisations that implement projects on the ground. There were 34 judges from different organisations, including National Geographic, USAID, Conservation International, World Conservation Union, the United Nations Environment Program, and the World Bank, as well as previous winners.
This award allows Sunlabob to boost its rental fund, expand its training activities, and therefore expand the rental operations.
However, much more important for the company is the recognition from highest quarters, that the approach is sound, makes economic sense, and is an innovative contribution to rural development and environmental concerns. This prestigious award has already generated considerable interest among various funding agencies, and the company is looking forward to enter into negotiations on possibilities for further capitalising the rental operations.
Sunlabob is a company that provides an affordable and reliable source of electricity to rural households in Laos through rental services. The availability of electricity-dependent lighting and communication equipment can have a direct impact on poverty and education. For example, lighting enables productive activities after dark, thereby freeing up time in the day for outside activities. But according to government figures, 60 percent of Lao villages in remote areas will not benefit from the electric grid for many years. In addition, villagers find alternative sources of electricity, such as solar-power systems, an expensive investment and would prefer a cheaper and more flexible option.
By providing rental solar equipment, the project makes electricity affordable for the majority of rural households or villages without the use of subsidies. The rental system encourages reliable servicing, allows consumers the flexibility of returning or changing the system to suit their needs, and creates local jobs through the service delivery mechanism.
The project will also set up new solar systems in at least 10 new villages and train local village committees, village technicians and end users to efficiently conduct financial and technical tracking. In addition, the project will capitalise on the community¡Çs favorable attitude to modernisation by creating a mental association of nature conservation efforts with ¡Èmodern¡É solar energy systems, thus creating goodwill towards environmentalists¡Ç efforts to protect the bio-diversity of the region through sustainable use of natural resources. Sunlabob will work very close with the WWF Organisation.
Source: kplnet.net
www.sunlabob.com/
To know more about Sunlabob, click at this link:
www.sunlabob.com/
AFTER a month of selection and a tough fight with entries worldwide, Laos¡Ç Sublabob has emerged a winner in the World Bank Energy Contest.
The World Bank ¡ÈDevelopment Marketplace¡É contest began in May 2005, and this is the first time a Lao project was submitted by Sublabob rural energy services.
Of the total 2,700 entries from 136 countries, 78 projects have been selected to present their ideas in Washington.
Sunlabob, a solar project for rental service, is among the final 27 winners of this contest, and has been awarded the maximum possible financial contribution of USD150,000. Furthermore, it was acknowledged as one of the most exciting projects by James D. Wolfensohn, the outgoing World Bank President.
The Development Marketplace¡Çs approach complements the World Bank¡Çs broader work by focussing on grassroots initiatives and working directly with local organisations that implement projects on the ground. There were 34 judges from different organisations, including National Geographic, USAID, Conservation International, World Conservation Union, the United Nations Environment Program, and the World Bank, as well as previous winners.
This award allows Sunlabob to boost its rental fund, expand its training activities, and therefore expand the rental operations.
However, much more important for the company is the recognition from highest quarters, that the approach is sound, makes economic sense, and is an innovative contribution to rural development and environmental concerns. This prestigious award has already generated considerable interest among various funding agencies, and the company is looking forward to enter into negotiations on possibilities for further capitalising the rental operations.
Sunlabob is a company that provides an affordable and reliable source of electricity to rural households in Laos through rental services. The availability of electricity-dependent lighting and communication equipment can have a direct impact on poverty and education. For example, lighting enables productive activities after dark, thereby freeing up time in the day for outside activities. But according to government figures, 60 percent of Lao villages in remote areas will not benefit from the electric grid for many years. In addition, villagers find alternative sources of electricity, such as solar-power systems, an expensive investment and would prefer a cheaper and more flexible option.
By providing rental solar equipment, the project makes electricity affordable for the majority of rural households or villages without the use of subsidies. The rental system encourages reliable servicing, allows consumers the flexibility of returning or changing the system to suit their needs, and creates local jobs through the service delivery mechanism.
The project will also set up new solar systems in at least 10 new villages and train local village committees, village technicians and end users to efficiently conduct financial and technical tracking. In addition, the project will capitalise on the community¡Çs favorable attitude to modernisation by creating a mental association of nature conservation efforts with ¡Èmodern¡É solar energy systems, thus creating goodwill towards environmentalists¡Ç efforts to protect the bio-diversity of the region through sustainable use of natural resources. Sunlabob will work very close with the WWF Organisation.
Source: kplnet.net
www.sunlabob.com/