Geothermal energy empowering women in El Salvador
Berlin geothermal power plant of La Geo in El Salvador (source: Enex)
Francisco Rojas
29 Oct 2015
Waste heat from geothermal plants in El Salvador is being used by women from rural communities to dehydrate fruit for themselves and for commercial sale, increasing their income.
We have mentioned countless times that geothermal is much more than just power generation and in this case, a different and inventive initiative is taking place that is empowering women in El Salvador.
In a recent post done by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, they describe a curious spillover effect from waste heat from geothermal plants present in El Salvador for indigenous women.
According to the Secretariat: “Women from rural communities in El Salvador are increasing their incomes and tackling climate change through a unique project that uses waste heat and steam condensates from nearby geothermal plants. Women living in communities near the geothermal plants use waste heat from the geothermal steam to dehydrate fruit for themselves and for commercial sale. They also grow and sell plants watered with geothermal condensates. Four women are permanently employed as rangers in a wildlife protection park, which has been established in the geothermal field. Through this project, women are able to run a productive business while earning a sustainable income.”
The post also describes that this applies to dozens of women scattered around 15 different communities and with “45,570” people benefitting indirectly from the initiative. Geothermal energy, apart from supplying nearly a third of El Salvador’s energy mix, is also cutting greenhouse emissions and now helping rural communities.
To read the full article, please follow the link:
Source: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
