Stefan Frey, a Swiss living in the very north of Madagascar has launched an initiative to electrify villages using wind turbines. The project was started in 2007 together with the Technical University of Antsiranana and the support of the elea foundation.

By the end of 2010 four villages were enjoying the benefits of electricity:

• Sahasifotra, pilot project with 400 villagers
• Ambolobozokely with 1’200 villagers
• Ambolobozobe with 2’500 villagers
• Ivovona with 800 villagers

Trained electricians are providing support services and subscribers pay a monthly fee for electricity. Life in the villages has improved dramatically with electricity. In 2010 phase 2 of the project was launched, expanding the electrification to three additional villages by 2012. After a visit to Madagaskar in September 2011, Fontana Foundation got engaged in phase two and sponsored the electrification of Joffreville, a large village with about 4’100 inhabitants.

While the project was launched, there were changes in the government of Madagascar and a new energy minister took over. The approval for the system was not granted and the project had to be stopped. This is a sad story since the people are waiting for the electricity and the turbines are there, but the project cannot be put into operation. We hope that Stephan Frey can still get the necessary approvals and complete the project in due course.

For more information, please go to www.repic.ch