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ProjectStrengthening the Institutional Capacities for Sustainable Management of Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) in Sub-Saharan Africa - TCP/RAF/3613 2020
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No results found.In recent years, solar-powered irrigation has become increasingly attractive to countries as a reliable, clean-energy solution for agricultural water management, especially in areas with low elevation topography and high solar radiation incidence levels. With investment costs for solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) decreasing, SPIS technologies are helping farmers reap a double benefit: more affordable irrigation and more consistent water availability. These technologies have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of energy used for water pumping by more than 95 percent, compared to alternatives dependent on diesel or fossil-fuel driven electricity grids. In water scarce countries, the provision of more affordable energy for the pumping of groundwater for irrigated agriculture can result in problems of groundwater depletion and quality deterioration. Thus, there is a need to think more systematically on the scalability of SPIS at national and local levels and the regulatory frameworks required. This project aimed at strengthening the institutional energy, water and planning capacities in Gambia, Kenya, Mali and Uganda as pilot countries, from which the project could position a series of policy and technical prescriptions to other sub-Saharan African countries, hence catalyzing regional coordination and knowledge exchange efforts. In light of the Strategic and Operational Plan of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union (AU-DREA) calling for support to AU Member States in applying the Principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), the project – with the AU-DREA as the governmental authority requesting the technical assistance – represents a concrete response to this call to action. The SPIS represent an untapped opportunity, and by mainstreaming and investing in these innovative irrigation systems, sub-Saharan African countries can simultaneously work towards agricultural development, gainful employment, rural poverty reduction and the sustainable management of natural resources, especially water. -
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheetAssessment of solar-powered irrigation systems in the West Bank (Palestine) 2022
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No results found.In Palestine, energy represents a significant cost in agriculture as needed to pump, transport water or operate pressurized localized irrigation systems. Solar energy represents an opportunity to cut on production costs –once the upfront cost of the solar pumping equipment are paid for. Solar pumping can be individually or collectively owned. Renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) based pumps are also far easier to transport than diesel generators, for example as they be moved in pieces and reassembled on site and don’t require the extra transportation problems of fuel. This study implemented in 2021 investigated the status and the impact of solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) in Palestine by considering the currently installed systems. -
ProjectRealizing the Potential and Managing the Risks of Solar Irrigation in the Near East and North Africa - TCP/RAB/3604 2020
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No results found.In recent years, solar irrigation has become increasingly interesting for countries as a reliable, clean-energy solution for agricultural water management, especially in areas with high-incident solar radiation. As investment costs for solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) are decreasing, SPIS technologies are becoming a viable option for many farmers. In rural areas, solar irrigation can be a means to ensuring access to energy for agriculture, and possibly for other users in rural areas that lack reliable access to electricity or where diesel fuel is expensive. Some countries are promoting SPIS in the framework of national action plans against climate change, as a way of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture. The conditions for SPIS vary from country to country, in terms of biophysical and climatic suitability, techno-economic feasibility, institutional arrangements, regulations and policy support, financing and economic viability of systems. There is now an opportunity to not simply introduce a clean-energy, climate-smart and relatively affordable technology, but to think strategically about how this technology can be used to regulate groundwater use, provide energy access to rural areas, and promote innovative investment models and organizational structures. Against this background, the project sought to strengthen institutional capacities in two target countries, Egypt and Tunisia, by learning from existing experiences to understand how to promote and regulate the use of SPIS, and fostering policy dialogue across sectors to ensure a coordinated approach to SPIS, with the overall aim of improving natural resources management and encouraging low-emission and climate-smart agriculture; as well as providing training for technical experts to act as multipliers of knowledge.
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