JFPR 9093-BHU: Rural Electricians Training Program
Bhutan
Project Summary
Loan 2009-BHU(ADF): Rural Electrification and Network Expansion
Board Approval on 30 September 2003
Project grant / Capacity Building grant
Ms. Ilaria Caetani, SARD
Total Budget in $ : $1.25 million
JFPR grant in $ : $1 million
Department of Energy
Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Tsering Tobgay
Department of Human Resources, Ministry of Labor
Thimphu, Bhutan
E-mail: ttobgay@druknet.bt
Phone: (975) 2 327337
Fax: (975) 2 324846
- Satchi
Officiating Head, Renewable Energy Division
Department of Energy/Renewable Energy Division
Thimphu, Bhutan
E-mail: Satchi@druknet.bt
Phone: (975) 2 328279
Fax: (975) 2 328278
Component A - Training as rural electricians in newly electrified villages.
Component B - Installation of PV solar systems and training for wiring, installation, maintenance, and spare parts construction in off-grid villages
Grant Development Objective (GDO)
Component A will provide training for local villagers to become electricians. Trained electricians will meet the growing demand in rural areas, as well as ensure that household wiring is done properly and safely. Component B will provide a unique training package, which includes the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in communities that are not going to be connected to the grid in the next 10–15 years. In addition to creating job opportunities for solar electricians, this component will have a major positive impact on isolated communities that otherwise would become more marginalized. They will enjoy the benefits from access to electricity. In particular, the proposed Project will target communities where traditional activities such as pottery, silversmithing, etc., are dying due to lack of opportunities.
Project Purpose
The main purpose of the proposed Project is to reduce rural poverty by creating employment opportunities.
Component A:
- Provide 395 semiliterate villagers, in 79 Gewogs in 12 Dzongkhags, with training and certifications as rural electricians, leading to the creation of new income-generating activities. Graduated trainees also will serve as training assistants for the next batches.
- Wire about 10,500 households safely.
- Create a database of graduated electricians throughout the country at the Dzongkhag level.
- Increase awareness in newly electrified villages on increased benefits and income-generating opportunities due to electrification.
- Increase training capacity of DHR.
Component B:
- Provide sustainable and clean electricity to at least 23 isolated villages that are not likely to be connected to the grid in the next 10-15 years.
- Provide PV solar systems and wiring to a maximum of 345 households (based on an average of 15 households per village).
- Train 46 semiliterate villagers as BSEs, leading to the creation of new income-generating activities.
- Provide means to villages with traditional cultural and economic activities to revitalize heritage artisanship that is at risk of extinction.
- Establish at least 18 REWs to provide, build, and install spare parts and maintenance at village level.
Component A comprises four subcomponents:
- Informal vocational training for semiliterate villagers as rural electricians.
- Sensitization on new opportunities deriving from electrification in affected villages.
- Development of a rural electrician's database.
- Dissemination of results.
Component B comprises three subcomponents:
- Training as solar engineers and installation of PV solar systems.
- Sensitization on new opportunities derived from electrification in affected villages.
- Dissemination of results.
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