LIMA (Reuters) – Peru plans to nearly close its gap in electrical coverage in rural regions by the end of the decade with a recently-awarded $28.5 million solar-energy contract, the government said yesterday.
Ergon Peru S.A.C., which beat one other bidder on the contract awarded on Friday, will install 500,000 solar panels across Peru and guarantee their operation for 15 years, said Energy and Mines Minister Eleodoro Mayorga.
Only 70 percent of rural Peru is now connected to the electrical grid, compared to 90 percent nationally.
Mayorga said the photovoltaic panels will boost rural electrical coverage to 96 percent in five years – much faster than waiting for the grid to reach Peru’s far-flung provinces.
“This is a big leap forward,” Mayorga said at a press conference. “Our goal is for all Peruvians to have electricity by 2019.”
