Energy micro-enterprises in rural world to be promoted

Morocco has initiated a project to promote solar energy micro-enterprises in the rural world.

The project, dubbed "energy house" (maison d'energie), is meant to improve energy supply to the rural world, through the use of energy services adapted to the rural world, and will be carried out in cooperation with the U.N. Development Program (UNDP).

The micro-enterprises, manned by young promoters, will improve the electrification of the rural world, provide and install solar energy equipment, especially for public baths and bakeries, and ensure maintenance of this equipment. They will also foster public awareness to the use of renewable energies and technologies for a rational use of coal as a source of energy.

Some 40 % of forest resources in the northern regions of the country have been depleted since 1965 because of over-exploitation.

At the initial phase of the project, 30 energy houses will be set up while 20 others will be created before the end of the current year, the overall target being the setting up of 1,000 such enterprises.

The project that will help rationalize forest resources management is part of "Promasol," a national project for the promotion of solar energy, carried out in cooperation with the UNDP.

The U.N. Environment Fund is also contributing $ 3 million to Promasol.