NO MORE TOTAL DARKNESS
Can you imagine passing your nights in total darkness once the sun sets and relying only on moonlight, candlelight or oil lamps? That was what most people living in Kamanggih village on the Indonesian island of Sumba went through every day.
But two years ago, a small hydroelectric generator was built in a river nearby and it now provides 24-hour electricity to 300 homes in the village. Hydroelectric generators are powered by fast-moving water to produce electricity.
Sumba island makes use of not only rivers, but also the sun, wind and even methane gas from pig poo to provide power to the islanders. The goal is to produce 100% of its electricity from renewable sources of energy by the year 2025.
Life on the island is now much easier. When the sun sets, electric lights can be turned on so that kids can study and grown-ups can weave their baskets and mats to earn more money.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that are naturally renewed over a relatively short time compared to fossil fuels. Examples of renewable energy are sunlight, waves or fast-moving water, geothermal heat (stored underground), tides and wind.
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Featured image: AFP TV
