Four Pilot Projects have been initiated in order to make RETs commercially sustainable and to translate the concept into saleable products having adequate infrastructure support for marketing, servicing and maintenance. Other articles of interest in this issue are the CIREP Update, feedback from Cycle 1 of REE, the improved, pollution free chulhas of ApTibet, and an MNES Soft Loan programme for solar water heaters. "Wind Power energy has a great potential" says Mr M. Kannappan in his message; 'IRENet on the Move' is a new photo feature that we have introduced.
IRENET NEWS
Making RETs Commercially Sustainable
Renewable energy technologies (RETs) hold immense opportunities in the new millenium. It is imperative to implement RETs in a sustainable manner. RETs can also improve the fundamental quality of life by aiding income generation efforts and overcoming poverty.
Under CIREP, an attempt is being made to introduce RETs in a commercially sustainable manner by integrating them into an existing activity in the community. In this direction, a pilot project was initiated in January 2002 in four states - Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), Kerala and Karnataka which is expected to generate income
for the user. It will be replicated in other locations and attain sustainability by:
CYCLE 1 TRAINING
The Cycle 1 training was completed on schedule during February and March due to the keen interest and overwhelming response of members - particularly the eastern and western regions who consented to a last minute shift in venue due to the disturbances in Gujarat. We will incorporate all suggestions and other feedback in the second cycle. I hope members take maximum advantage of the learning and apply them to their local
field situations.
Members are requested to note the training in their respective areas and make arrangements to attend them. Based on feedback from members, we are allowing field staff to attend the Cycle 2 training for the entire duration and not just two days as earlier communicated.
PILOT PROJECT WORKSHOP
The second Joint Management Workshop for pilot projects was held in Meerut in April. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to understand all pilot projects as one single programme. Several constructive suggestions and recommendations were made. Participants also visited villages where MSS is implementing the pilot project and interacted with the beneficiaries.
MID-TERM OPERATIONAL REVIEW BY CIDA
The Mid-term Operational Review process was completed by CIDA and the preliminary results were presented to PARTNERS in February. Subsequently, the report was modified and shared with IRENet National Council Members.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
A Steering Committee has been formed for CIREP. It consists of Mr Gerald Lefrancios and Dr Sampath Kumar from CIDA, Mr Maurice Alarie and Parimal M. Sadaphal from PARTNERS and Mr T. Babjee, Mr A.B. Singh and Ms Lalita Balakrishnan from IRENet. The Mid-term Operational Review results were presented to the Steering Committee and discussed. The committee approved the work plan for the current year for CIREP.
FIELD VISIT BY CIDA OFFICIALS Mr Gerald Lefrancios and Dr Sampath Kumar visited Bangalore for village appraisals using CIREP Appraisal Tools and also visited the pilot project in Bhopal.
By Parimal M. Sadaphal,
India Project Coordinator, CIREP
Cycle 2 Training Calendar
| Region | Dates | Host NGO | Place | Venue Details | Venue Status |
| South (Lower) | May 14 to 18, 02 | NERD Society | Coimbatore | Karl Kubel Institute for Development Education, Anaikatty Road, PO Box: 7601 Pathanjalipuri post, Mankarai, Coimbatore 641108, Tel: 0422-858747 | Event completed |
| South (Upper) | May 21 to 25, 02 | CRESHE | Hyderabad | Hotel Golkonda, 10-1-124, MASAB TANK, Hyderabad Tel: (040) 3320202; Fax: 3320404 | Event completed |
| East | June 4 to 8, 02 LBSNMT | LBSNIMT | Varanasi | Hotel Plaza Inn S 21/116H Parade Kothi, Cantt Varanasi 2 Tel: (0542) 348210, 343004; Fax: 208504 | Tentative |
| West | June 18 to 22, 02 | NMSWDF | Dahod | NMSWDF Campus, Vill. Chaushala, Distt Dahod, Tel: 02673-38601, 38602 | Finalised |
| East | July 2 to 6, 02 | PRD/IRENet | Delhi/Haryana | To be decided | Tentative |
NGOs Appreciate CIREP Training Methodology
Participants at the Cycle 1 of the REE Training ranked the training methodology and the overall performance of the trainers as '4' or 'very good' when asked to rank the various aspects of the training modules on a scale of 1-5 (with 1=poor and 5=excellent).
Most participants felt that the time allotted was not adequate and that a five-day programme would have been ideal for discussing the issues. The sessions on solar PV technology, business approaches and appraisal module were ranked as most useful. Most NGO members found all the issues covered in the different sessions relevant for discussion. Participants from Delhi and Bhopal felt that Hindi should have been used for the data sheets and the training sessions. The feedback also suggested a higher level of interaction between the NGO members through participatory activities. A welcome revelation was the information that the training programme developed a higher level of motivation and would lead to putting the training into practice.
Quiz Winners at Cycle 1 Venues
IRENet sponsored a trophy for the winners in all the five regions.
Region
Winning NGO Team
South Upper region
IYD Bangalore, Karnataka
South Lower region
COD, Khozikode, Kerala
Northern region
SED, New Delhi
Eastern region
JIFORD, Deoria, UP
Western region
N.M. Satguru Foundation, Dahod, Gujarat