Rotary Club of Grenada East and Birchgrove Community Development Council with funding from the GEF Small Grants Grenada programme is pleased to announce the launch of the project ‘Harnessing Hydro Power to Empower the Birchgrove Community,’ on 8 March 2018 at Birch Grove, St Andrew.
This Birchgrove Hydro-Power Scheme involves the implementation of a 30kW community micro hydropower plant and training to improve the capacity of members in the Birchgrove community to operate and maintain the plant and to implements other and similar projects.
It aligns perfectly with Immediate Objective 3 of the SGP OP5 as stated in the Country Programme Strategy of Grenada – ‘Promote the demonstration, development and transfer of low carbon technology at the community level.’ Hydroelectric power (aka hydropower) is one of the most significant and mature renewable energy technologies (RET) in existence globally.
There have been no hydropower developments here in Grenada, partly due to the high capital cost associated with them and limited availability of expertise in the field. Grant funding for this project will enable these hurdles to be overcome.
During the launch, Aaron Thomas welcomed the gathering and gave a summary of the work done by the committee over the years. Giving brief remarks and updates were Shiloni Joseph of Rotary Club of Grenada East and Simone Lewis, National Coordinator GEF Small Grant Programme Grenada.
In attendance were members and residence of the Birchgrove Community, Rotary Club of Grenada East, St Andrew’s Development (SADO) and the principal and staff of the St Matthew’s RC School also beneficiaries of the project.
Birchgrove Community Development Council