blueEnergy Electrifies Rural Nicaragua with Wind and Solar

Science & Technology (alternative energy)

While international aid groups are well-intentioned, they sometimes don't offer developing countries the greenest or most practical options for assistance. Take Nicaragua, where aid agencies have encouraged residents of isolated rural communities to use costly diesel generators for electricity. Enter blueEnergy, a pragmatic non-profit organization that is building hybrid wind and solar systems to power homes, schools and rural clinics in this region where nearly 80 percent of the population lacks electricity. Since 2004, blueEnergy has built eight turbines with 7.5 kW in installed capacity in six Nicaraguan communities, providing electricity to some 1,500 people.

"blueEnergy’s approach to rural electrification focuses on manufacturing wind turbines on the Caribbean Coast, near the point of usage. This local, wind power centric focus keeps energy costs low, improves servicing feasibility, and provide jobs where they are desperately needed," the group's web site reads. blueEnergy notes that the hybrid systems makes more sense here because solar alone can entail high costs and imported wind projects "often fail to meet production expectations or fail entirely due to the harsh environment and improper servicing." blueEnergy