The China-assisted Solar Energy Demonstration Village Project in Mali, undertaken by China Geological Engineering Group Co., LTD., a subsidiary of China Energy Conservation Institute, has been completed and accepted in the villages of Mariconobula and Karan. A total of 1,195 sets of off-grid solar household systems, 200 sets of solar street lighting systems, 17 sets of solar water pump systems and 2 sets of centralized solar power supply systems were installed in the project, directly benefiting tens of thousands of local people.
It is reported that the West African country of Mali has been in shortage of power resources, the rural electricity rate is less than 20%. The village of Konobula, southeast of the capital Bamako, has little electricity, relies on its few hand-pressed Wells and spends long hours queuing for water.
"When we first arrived, most of the villagers were still living a traditional life of slash-and-burn farming," said Pan Zhaoligang, an employee of the China Geology project. "At night, the village was dark and quiet, and there was hardly anyone out and about."
The Ma Li Solar Energy Demonstration Village project was completed in two villages in April and passed completion inspection in early May, bringing light and hope to local villagers.
After the completion of the project, the dark village at night has a street lamp, villagers no longer need to use flashlights to travel; Small shops opened at night at the entrance of the village, and warm lights lit up the humble houses; Instead of scrounging around the village looking for a temporary place to charge a mobile phone, some families have bought televisions.
According to the introduction, the project is another practical measure to promote clean energy in the field of people's livelihood and share green development experience, and has practical significance to help Mali to take the road of green and sustainable development. Zhao Yongqing, project manager of the Solar Energy Demonstration Village, has been working in Africa for more than 10 years. He said, "The solar photovoltaic demonstration project, which is small but beautiful, benefits people's livelihood and has quick results, not only meets the practical needs of Mali to improve the rural supporting facilities, but also meets the local people's long-term longing for a happy life."
Advanced photovoltaic technology is crucial to Mali's efforts to combat climate change and improve rural livelihoods, according to the head of Mali's Renewable Energy Agency. "The China-assisted Solar Demonstration Village project in Mali is a very meaningful practice to explore the application of photovoltaic technology to improve the livelihood of remote and backward villages."
