NRECA has identified and evaluated micro-enterprise possibilities for indigenous people in environmentally sensitive areas

2005

NRECA is currently working with the International Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C. and the Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment of Guatemala (FCG) to identify and evaluate possibilities for commercially viable micro and small business enterprises in areas of Guatemala populated by indigenous people.

NRECA was selected because of its depth of experience in rural development and community participation, and especially, the application of principles of energy efficiency and renewable energy to diversification of income sources in rural areas in developing countries. The field teams have identified a list of productive activities that would be viable in the context of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. These include rural tourism, environmentally responsible agriculture, forest-based industries, handicrafts, and others.

Most recently, NRECA delivered the results of a market and financial feasibility assessment of a 4.5-MW wind power pilot project at three specific sites. The results indicate that the project could be financially viable if the power is sold at a premium to the anticipated long-run marginal cost of power on the national grid, or if the project sponsors provide a subsidy for capital costs to develop the project.