'Summit-Friendship Solar Village' bags international laurels

The 'Summit-Friendship Solar Village' project, located in Gaibandha, has received the prestigious Reuters' Global Energy Transition Awards 2024 under the 'Projects of Impact' category in New York, USA recently, says a press release.

Among 500 entries this year from around the globe, this project was nominated for its concrete results in terms of improved energy affordability, and compensation for losses to improve local resilience for climate change.

This 57.6 kW scalable solar micro grid now benefits 3,000 people from the remote, sedimentary island (called a Char) Kabilpur of Gaibandha district and acts as a hub for other neighbouring islands in the river Brahmaputra.

"Summit wants to serve 100 per cent of Bangladesh with infrastructures such as electricity and communication. Some 'Char' areas, which are outside the national grid, also deserve electricity. The award-winning Friendship NGO has done wonders. It's a privilege to provide solar energy to the 3,000 people of Char Kabilpur in association with Friendship." remarked Muhammed Aziz Khan, Chairman of Summit Power International.

"Anyone who has seen the mighty River Jamuna in spate will understand that mainline power grids are not really possible here. On the other hand, this solar grid will provide income-generating opportunities and livelihoods, as well as opportunities for children's education and of course that hope and dignity thrive. We want to thank Summit for its support," said Friendship founder Runa Khan.

The solar village plays an integral role in allowing people from these isolated communities to have access to "modern" amenities, and have longer hours for both business and commerce, as well as academics and use at home. Additionally, renewable solar energy also means less reliance on fossil-fuel burning traditional kerosene lamps which have toxic emissions and also present a common fire hazard.