The NRECA International Foundation and U.S. electric co-ops have combined forces to electrify a town in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The project, which is entirely funded through donations of money, material, and volunteer labor from the US cooperative community, is located in Pignon, a small town in the north-central region of Haiti.

Teams of volunteer lineman and engineers from Minnesota co-ops have traveled to Pignon annually for the past three years to develop the electric system and train local people in its operation and maintenance. Generation capacity has been installed in a new powerhouse, distribution lines have been established along the main roads of the town, and schools, the town hospital, and approximately 350 homes and businesses in the town have already been connected to the growing system.

New business have sprung up, commercial activity is flourishing at night, children are playing basketball on the lighted court in the town square, and expensive, noisy and polluting private generators have been largely eliminated as people take advantage of cheaper electricity now available via the grid.

In addition to designing and developing the physical distribution infrastructure, US co-op volunteers and local leaders have established a cooperative to manage and operate the electric system. The Cooperative Electrique de Pignon (COOPELEP), is the first electric cooperative in Haiti. Co-op volunteers are providing technical training to local personnel on generator operation and maintenance, as well as lineman training. Local staff of the cooperative is now installing poles and wire, connecting homes, reading meters, and processing payment.

Program Accomplishments:

• Established project in Pignon
• 110 homes and business have access to electricity.
• 6 crews of MN linemen volunteers have built 5 kms of distribution lines.
• Existing customers have experienced 60-75% savings over conventional fuels (personal generator fuel, propane lanterns, candles, etc.).

Updates in Haiti
Since the 2010 earthquake in Port au Prince, NRECA International has been working alongside Haiti’s national electric organization, Electricite d’Haiti, to rebuild and train the local line workers. 

Recently, NRECA International has formed a new partnership with PIH (Partners in Health) to help electrify the National Teaching Hospital at Mirebalais, Haiti.  Read more about this project on PIH’s blog tracking the construction’s progress.