**6.5 Sustainability**

98 Sustainable Growth and Applications in Renewable Energy Sources

performance may be threatened by the lack of commitment tools that would help to ensure the fulfilment of the obligations of the users. In particular, they claim more training and time for a proper comprehension of the rules of the new organization because the management committee has no element of coercion to require monthly contributions, and the technical operator receives no remuneration for his work as inspector. These deficiencies are repeated

One of the specific objectives of this project aimed to train the users in the maintenance of wind power systems and organizational management techniques for the sustainability of the systems. A key point is the emphasis on training and awareness of people through workshops and seminars. The results of the evaluation confirmed the population received good training, are aware of the benefits of the project and have a positive perception of usefulness. Users are also aware of the existence and significance of the management committee although no regularity when making the respective contributions has been achieved. These delays have had no negative consequences so far because there have been

no need to replace elements, because the projects have been running for a short time.

In terms of uses of electricity, the beneficiaries use the energy depending on their economic possibilities to buy electric appliances, from lighting to communication and leisure. The most noteworthy nightlife activities are spinning, knitting or sewing by women and schoolwork by children. Table 2 shows the number of users per municipality using different

Turco 11 0 1 10 1 0 Challapata 8 0 4 2 1 0

In terms of the logical framework, the project has largely achieved its objectives and actually incorporated renewable energy in Turco and Challapata communities as demonstration

The achievement of an organization to manage the systems designed according to

From the economic point of view, almost all beneficiaries agree that now with the new electricity service they spend less money on the provision of electricity than they used to spend on traditional energy sources (kerosene, candles, etc.). Apart from that, some of them state they no longer have to breathe smoke like when they used kerosene, burners or candles. Beneficiaries state they have a solid and consolidated organization, although this is

Table 2. Number of users of each appliance in each community.

Training of all users and technicians from the municipal governments.

The main factors that facilitated the success were:

The development of management manuals.

The most noteworthy positive impacts of the project are: Improved quality of life, preserving the environment.

not directly reflected at the time of monthly contributions.

Focus TV Radio Cell Phone Battery chargers Others

in Turco and Challapata but with different intensity.

**6.3 Effectiveness** 

types of appliances.

**6.4 Impact** 

projects in Bolivia.

customs.

The promoters (Engineers Without Borders, CINER and Mosoj CAUSAY), and the management committees of the projects signed an agreement with the mayors involved in the projects, where the municipalities assumed to take over the sustainability of actions. The management committees are afraid of not being self-sufficient to maintain the systems of electrification (lack of regular payments, technical operator's temporary absence, etc.) and so the mayors involved agreed to give support and to take over the long term sustainability of projects. However, changes in the technical and municipal authorities, bureaucracy, lack of financial resources, lack of continuity in the training of technicians of the municipality and other stakeholders may hinder the fulfilment of commitments.

Moreover, the future of these systems is contingent on the proper use and proper maintenance of each of the equipments. The company that installed the wind systems is committed to maintain and to repair themfor a period of two years. So far, the company repaired the systems when needed but has taken some time, so some beneficiaries have had no electricity during weeks or months.

### **6.6 Coherence**

The results of the evaluation confirmed there is a clear coherence between identified problems in the area and goals of the project. The project has successfully overcome one of the main problems identified in the area: lack of electricity and reliance on traditional energy sources (candles, lighters, wood and other fuels). Now beneficiaries say they no longer breathe smoke (of kerosene or candles), and state they spend less money on energy supply.

Experiences of Community Wind Electrification

1. Relevance: 4.35/5 (weight: 25%) 2. Efficiency: 4.50/5 (weight: 10%) 3. Effectiveness: 4.67/5 (weight: 10%) 4. Impact: 4.75/5 (weight: 15%) 5. Sustainability: 4/5 (weight: 15%) 6. Coherence: 5/5 (weight: 10%) 7. Facilities: 4.33/5 (weight: 10%)

verticality of the poles.

community.

in white for greater light efficiency.

Fig. 4. Results from the multicriteria evaluation.

**6.9 Recommendations of use and maintenance** 

Projects in Bolivia: Evaluation and Improvements for Future Projects 101

The following recommendations are deduced from the evaluation and are proposed to

 To facilitate the sustainability of the project, the management was transferred to the involved municipalities, and should be monitored periodically by these entities. The mayors should support the preventive maintenance plan for wind turbines and should

 Management committees in coordination with Installation Company must check the level of the batteries and the wind systems performance. The maintenance plan for wind systems must check the status of bearings, the load control system and the

 Users must remember that when they buy a radio or TV their power must be appropriate for the wind systems. The maintenance plan should ensure that the light output of focus fulfils the standard NB IBNORCA -1056 and users should paint rooms

 Batteries must be in a suitable container for efficient and secure use. The municipal government should provide a battery charger as a backup system for each

proper use and maintenance of systems and to promote long term sustainability:

include training for users at least once a year, especially to the young.

In addition, the evaluation confirmed this project is not against any plan, program or policy; on the contrary, it contributes to the government's obligation to provide basic services to the population.
