Clinton backs solar power scheme

By Jane Dreaper
BBC health correspondent in Ethiopia

Mr Clinton sees the scheme as a role model

Almost eight years after he left office, Bill Clinton still creates a stir on his travels.

That was particularly true when his helicopter swept in to the remote village of Rema in northern Ethiopia.

It is a place still untouched by many aspects of modern life - and most inhabitants were not aware who Bill Clinton was.

But they did understand that this was a significant visitor who would give wider promotion to their solar power scheme.

It's fighting climate change, putting people into work and helping their health and education Bill Clinton

Two years ago, a venture capital company called Good Energies spent £200,000 installing solar panels on each of the village's 1,100 mud huts.

The villagers had in fact turned down the offer of a diesel generator from an aid organisation, because they felt the maintenance costs would be too high.

Constant supply

But solar power was attractive. After all, it harnessed what Ethiopia has aplenty - sun.

And even now, in the rainy season, the solar system in Rema is geared in such a way that it provides constant electricity.

Bill Clinton's visit created a stir

It is a remarkable achievement for a village which is several hours from the nearest tarmac road.

Before, darkness meant the village became totally inactive.

The residents could use kerosene lamps - but these gave weak light, and villagers had to travel to replenish them.

The solar scheme provides round-the-clock electricity, which has transformed Rema - both socially and economically.

Children can now do homework in the evenings, and an enterprising woman in the village has set up night classes for adults.

Constant power also means health supplies, such as polio vaccine and malaria treatment, can be reliably stored in fridges.

And there's a wider economic benefit - 24 engineers, all proudly sporting yellow T-shirts, have been given valuable engineering training.

The residents pay about 70p a month to maintain the panels, but they seem happy to do so.

Although the Clinton Foundation didn't fund the scheme, it is highlighting this project and trying to encourage other backers to replicate it.

Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea stepped inside a mud hut to sip coffee and hear about the solar project.

Afterwards he said: "This is great. I've been trying to explain to other countries that this is what we should do - particularly in Africa - when villages aren't on the electrical grid.

"It's fighting climate change, putting people into work and helping their health and education."

The Ethiopian president has yet to visit Rema, but the visit of a former American president will undoubtedly draw international attention to this collection of solar panels.