Integrated Energy Services for Small Localities of Rural Mexico

Strategic ObjectiveThe proposed GEF project aims to facilitate the release of decentralized public funds and attract private financing to support demonstration and development of renewable energy based projects for rural electrification that include productive uses and social services.Specific Project ObjectivesThe key objectives of the project are the following:·Increase access to public resources and attract private investment. The objective is to implement the appropriate institutional, legal and regulatory platform and the financing facility, to unlock available public resources that although earmarked for the development of social infrastructure they are barely spent in rural electrification projects. The project will also seek to engage the private sector in the market development of renewable energy based projects for rural electrification including productive uses and social services.·Demonstrate renewable energy based projects for rural electrification and productive uses / social services. The project will focus on demonstrating decentralized mini-grids and mainly wind based and mini-hydro technology. A first phase will target a total of 50,000 households.·Capacity building for the development and financing of rural electrification projects. Build the capacity of State and Municipal entities to allocate decentralized public resources efficiently and understand most cost-effective and sustainable energy service solutions. The project will also promote the participation of non-governmental stakeholders including the private sector in different segments of the service delivery cycle.