renewable energy - Kenya: UNIDO partners with Microsoft on renewable energy for productive use

UNIDO, in partnership with other stakeholders, has been working on the project of Lighting up Kenya using electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The energy generated is directed to village power centres where it is used for different applications. The key objective of a village power centre is to promote the use of electricity for productive use, instead of restricting it to consumptive use. The centre also promotes income-generating activities that will in the long run improve the quality of life in rural areas through the provision of clean energy. It will furthermore increase the opportunities for gainful employment by using the energy to add value to local produce. Presently up to two billion people worldwide lack access to modern energy services. The vast majority live in rural areas in the poorest regions of the world. The crucial link between energy and poverty has made this an issue of major importance for the international community and governments of developing countries. read more here www.unido.org