Renewables power Pakistan village
Pakistanis are worried: about skyrocketing electricity bills and energy prices. The remote Lachman Kohli village is energy self-sufficient. It generates free electricity with solar power, letting villagers live better lives.
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00:00 The solar electricity is good, without it we couldn't see at night."
00:07 This is Lachman Koli, one of Pakistan's very few energy autonomous villages.
00:12 In the past, it had no access to electricity.
00:15 But thanks to its off-grid solar system, people here no longer worry about energy, unlike
00:20 many in Pakistan.
00:25 Lachman Koli is a remote village that's not connected to the grid.
00:35 Until recently, residents relied on wood fires for light during the night.
00:41 But now they are meeting their energy needs with solar power.
00:48 Valima's daily routine used to revolve around working in the fields, tending to animals
00:57 and carrying out household tasks.
01:01 For her, the day ended when the sun went down.
01:06 Now the family has a stable source of electricity, Valima, who has three children, can make traditional
01:12 pottery at home, even after the sun goes down.
01:16 It's a much-needed source of extra income.
01:19 "At night we can make two or three pieces of pottery.
01:25 I can earn money by selling it.
01:27 The more I make, the more I can sell."
01:30 Pakistan's energy sector is heavily relied on fossil fuels.
01:33 64% of its energy is produced from imported oil, gas and coal.
01:39 Skyrocketing energy prices and power outages due to irregular transmission are also a huge
01:44 problem.
01:45 But Pakistan wants to make strides in the clean energy sector.
01:49 Nearly 100 million people in the country lack proper access to electricity, especially in
01:54 rural areas.
01:56 "When we settled here, there was no electricity.
02:02 We requested a connection to the national grid, and we were told we would get it, but
02:07 that was 20 years ago."
02:11 One of the biggest challenges in remote areas is the issue of land ownership.
02:15 For example, this village is owned by a landlord, and the villagers earn a living by working
02:20 in the fields.
02:24 Thanks to a sustainable initiative by the Heritage Foundation Pakistan NGO, dozens of
02:29 families here have access to round-the-clock energy free of charge.
02:33 "We spend 42,800 Pakistani rupees, around 140 euros, for one solar panel system that
02:41 12 families share, and a hand pump that 8 families share.
02:45 We built toilets that are shared by two families.
02:48 We also built a safe shelter for each family."
02:52 After the photovoltaic panels were installed, maintaining them posed another challenge.
02:57 Dust on the solar panels can also affect their performance.
03:01 But the NGO had a self-sufficient solution at the ready.
03:05 They trained young local technicians to carry out regular maintenance on the solar installation.
03:11 "I check the wiring and water levels in the battery.
03:15 I have to keep it clean so that it'll work properly.
03:18 This can provide power to six light bulbs and a fan.
03:21 With these solar panels, I can earn money and support my family.
03:25 So things are better than they were before."
03:30 In this village, renewable energy generates electricity that has a social impact.
03:35 Now village residents often gather in the evening to continue the day's work.
03:44 This temporary primary school in the village also benefits from an off-grid power supply.
03:50 Parents send their kids to school in the evenings.
03:53 During the day, many children work in the fields, alongside their parents.
03:58 "We're lucky our children can study now.
04:01 They can study under the light.
04:03 That makes me happy."
04:06 Solar installations are now making a big difference in the lives of these villagers.
04:12 Could something like this work where you live?
04:14 Or do you know about a community or individual that has come up with an even better solution?
04:20 Share it with us and the world.
04:21 [inaudible].