Alleviation of Poverty through the Provision of Local Energy Services (APPLES) (SAF/05/04)

Project Details & Results

The overall goal of the project is to find a sustainable mechanism for the effective delivery of improved and environmentally sound local energy services to poor communities in South Africa, thereby offering a route towards poverty alleviation while contributing to sustainable development. The project applies and refines the strategy adopted by the Department of Minerals and Energy for Integrated Energy Centres aiming to provide rural unserviced communities with access to energy services. The principle is to understand the energy needs and energy priorities of communities to determine and demonstrate the best practices for energy provision.

Notable Community Participation
While the organisation is fully rooted in the community, the organisation will in the first three months of the project engage in further consultation about the project activities, outputs and objectives.

Capacity - Building Component
The project has one of its outputs as increasing the capacity of local communities in and around Nkweletsheni of Integrated Energy Centres, alternative energy technologies and the promotion of sound and appropriate environmental practice.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
In the longer term the project aims to contribute to income generation from business development within these communities, based on energy efficient use and access to new secure energy supplies. This will be the major thrust of the project's contribution to sustainable livelihoods.

Gender Focus
In rural communities women are responsible for the energy needs but men still retain the decision-making authority. The approach allows for the direct interaction with women in the community and then tailor the services to address the needs of women. In this way the gender aspects are addressed in the project.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The project targets the Zulu people.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Through the project's capacity building activities the gobal environment will be promoted. Furthermore communication of sound environmental practice and energy conservation will be disseminated through the project.

Policy Impact
The project uses the Department of Minerals and Energy's strategy of Integrated Energy Centres in order to document best practice of its application.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Financial mechanisms to sustain the activity and ensure that energy services are brought to this community in an affordable way is an activity that the project will investigate.

Project Results
Established integrated Energy Center established in Nkweletsheni, KwaZulu Natal, that supports local businesses that promote environmentally sound energy technology while ensuring the sustainable livelihoods od team members