Argentina Renewable Energy for Rural Areas Project

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The project development objective for the Renewable Energy for Rural Areas Project for Argentina is to provide and enhance access to modern energy services in selected rural areas of Argentina. The main beneficiaries of the proposed operation will include some of the poorest members of the Argentine society. The project constitutes an innovative approach to rural electrification. The project is comprised of four components. (1) The renewable electricity service provision component will focus on the provision of renewable electricity services through, among other things, (a) the acquisition and installation of standalone solar systems; (b) the construction and/or upgrade of mini grids; (c) the acquisition and installation of water pumping systems in isolated individual households, public facilities, and isolated communities; (d) the acquisition and installation of equipment to micro-enterprises for the development of individual or collective productive uses activities; and (e) the provision of small works and goods as in-kind compensation under the relevant resettlement plans. (2) The solar thermal energy service provision component will work on the provision of solar thermal energy services through, among other things, the acquisition and installation of solar water heaters, solar spatial heating systems, cookers, and ovens for (a) selected dispersed public facilities and (b) public buildings located in rural areas in the participating provinces. (3) The project deployment support component will concentrate on the provision of support for the design, implementation, and execution of subprojects and the carrying out of activities to enhance renewable energy deployment in Argentina, including (a) the carrying out of market studies to determine potential energy demand and technologies; (b) the carrying out of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities, including the deployment of new technologies to remotely measure electricity consumption; (c) the carrying out of communication strategies and outreach activities. (4) The project management component will focus on carrying out project management activities, including (a) the strengthening of the operational capacity; (b) the carrying out of the project audits; (c) the carrying out of training; (d) the financing of travel costs for PCU and PEUs staff; and (e) the rental of vehicles for the carrying out of project supervision activities.