Project Detail

Dendro Power Project by Thurunushakthi Development Foundation

Dendro power, which is fuelwood-based energy, can function as an alternative energy source that has less negative effects on the environment. The dendro power project is located in a remote village in Balangoda district with no connection to the national electricity supply grid. The electicity produced will be used for domestic lighting by 20 households.

The fuel source for the power plant is Gliricidia trees which is found in abundance in the village. Electricity will be provided free for community centers such as the temple, school, Grama Nildhari office and training center for disabled children while the others had to pay a norminal fee, which will be mainly used for the maintainance of the power plant.

By using dendro power, Thurunushakthi Development Foundation hopes to improve energy efficiency of Gliricidia and to make the community aware of alternative, more environmentally-friendly forms of energy.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Thurunushakthi Development Foundation

Country:

Sri lanka

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

OP3 - Y2 (Mar 06 - Feb 07)

Grant Amount:

US$ 17,100.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 2,592.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 2,420.00

Project Number:

SRL/06/04

Start Date:

2/2007

End Date:

3/2008

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

Both men and women community members will be involved in the project; no specific effort to involve women.

Notable Community Participation

Members of the community have been heavily involved in the dendro power plant. For example, the land for the power house has been donated by the temple, which formerly had been lying barren, and now will support the Gliricidia trees and the power plant. At present, two boys from the village have been trained to overlook the running of the power plant, getting paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 3000/=. Additionally, the power plant will not only supply energy to about 30 houses in the village for a fee, it will also supply energy free of charge to the village temple, the school, the Grama Niladhari office and the training centre for disabled children.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Not applicable.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The houses that rely on the dendro power plant for energy must pay a fee of Rs. 150/= or more per month. By pricing the energy, Thurunushakthi Development Foundation will be able to keep the power plant running for the benefit of the village. The Gliricidia trees that will be used for paper products will be another source of income for the community

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The need for a dendro power plant in the area has raised awareness about climate change among the members of the community. Additionally, the Gliricidia trees that will be grown on the temple land will also slow down soil erosion. According to the villagers, previous attempts to grow trees on the temple land have not been successful as it is very dry and when it rains, all the nutrients drain away. Gliricidia trees will be an ideal alternative as they tend to keep soil sediment in place while allowing water to seep through.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The use of dendro power has been well received by the villagers that it is unlikely that they will return to kerosene. Therefore the power plant and the Gliciridia trees (that can also be used for paper products) will most likely be encouraged by the community.

Policy Impact

This project intends to improve the energy generating power of Gliricidia, which will eventually preclude the use of kerosene oil.

Capacity - Building Component

This project will train the community on the benefits of using dendro power as well as the benefits of Gliricidia trees. The project hopes to educate the community on how when they plant a stick of Gliricidia, they are in a way planting a paper plant as well.

Replication of project activities

the project is looking into the possiblity of expanding to cover another 20 homes in the village. a similar off-grid project has been executed in Kolonna, another village in Ratnapura, but it is funded by a different funding mechanism (RERED)

Project sustainability

the project provides electricity to the community, therefore is well accepted by the community. the plant is maintained by the community and each of the 27 families pays a fee of Rs. 175 (1.75 USD) which is credited to a fund to maintain the power plant. The community has grown Gliricedia, more than enough, to sustain the project for a prolonged period.

Project Results

? Provided a remote village with eco-friendly electricity, giving a solution for the energy crisis.
? Reduced the use of kerosene oil.
? Improved the fuel efficiency of Gliricidia.
? Growing Gliricidia trees directly helps to stop soil erosion and can also be used as a paper product,
developing the economy further.
? The project has also gathered the community together so that it will be easy to maintain project
activities and start a loan scheme program.

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