The New Life Organization (NEWLO) as a non-profit, non-government organization is finding it very difficult to maintain its high energy cost. The energy cost for the operation of the institution has been extremely high over the past years. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the electricity cost to the institution was EC$57,071.61, $43,269.20 and $44,296.76 respectively.
Additionally, NEWLO recently completed and officially opened an additional building to its facilities at Palmiste, St. John?s, with an estimated electricity cost in the region of EC$50,000.00 yearly. This means from May 2017, with the new facility now in operation, the annual electricity cost will double. This will grossly affect the management at NEWLO?s ability, in terms of meeting its financial obligation to the Grenada Electricity Company Ltd. (GRENLEC).

NEWLO has to look for other sources of funding to become sustainable now adn in the future. We therefore believe that the introduction of the solar energy to replace the non-renewable energy will reduce the cost of electricity and make NEWLO more efficient and effective in the delivery of its programmes to the vulnerable youth of Grenada, Cariacou and Petite Martinique.
The machinery and equipment that are used by NEWLO for training and operations utilize high energy. There are presently eleven (11) Departments at NEWLO which cater for over three hundred and fifty Trainees (350) on a daily basis. This does not include the administrative block, two Computer Labs which use air-condition units, two facilities that provide residence accommodation for Trainees that live on the compound, a Cafeteria and the new building which houses the hospitality arts programmes.
The high consumption of electricity is hampering the smooth and efficient operation of the organization. About 80% of the Trainees at NEWLO comes from no or low income families. At the end of every term, only 50% of the Trainees pay their fees of one hundred dollars (EC$100.00) in full. NEWLO cannot send the Trainees that do not pay their fees back on the street because it will have negative impacts on the social and economic conditions of the country.
Whatever monies that are raised by NEWLO go towards perishable and non-perishable supplies for technical and vocational training. This therefore results in our inability to meet the cost of the electricity consumption.
For NEWLO?s programmes to continue and remain relevant to its beneficiaries there is need to upgrade and expand on the programmes and facilities. These upgrade and expansion always come with extra cost. In order to address the problem identified, NEWLO will like to introduce solar energy which will reduce the high energy and operating cost.
As part of the introduction of the solar energy, two staff members and Trainees from the Electrical Installation Department will get the opportunity to be trained in the installation and maintenance of solar energy. In this way, NEWLO will always have the personnel for the continuous maintenance of the solar system when it is installed.
In addition, the introduction of the solar energy will provide NEWLO the opportunity to begin an irrigation system at the centre at Palmiste for all year round farming, to produce crops and vegetables for the consumption of the residence community, the Cafeteria and the new Hospitality Arts Centre.
It is estimated that when the solar system is set up, NEWLO will be able to generate in excess of about one hundred & ten thousand dollars (EC$110,000.00) annually from energy sold back to GRENLEC?s grid which will generate much needed funds for its operation.
The total estimated cost of project is EC$424,300.00 (US$157,148.15) with EC$405,000.00 (US$150,000.00) being requested from GEF/SGP and EC$19,300.00 (US$7,148.14) being provided by NEWLO.
The project will be monitored by the Project Team at NEWLO who have the relevant experience and skills from past successful projects to guide the project from start to finish.
The success and lessons learnt from the project will be distributed and shared with the GEF/SGP, the government, our stakeholders, staff, Trainees and the general public through NEWLO?s Facebook page, website, Newsletter, press releases and interviews with the media houses in Grenada.