CEDECAP energy training

Contributing to the growth of renewable energy access in Latin America

CEDECAP - Centre of Demonstration and Qualification in Appropriate Technologies - aims to spread renewable energies as an alternative for development in rural areas, developing the capacities of technicians, professionals, specialists and users of existing isolated power systems at local , national and international levels.

CEDECAP is the first training centre and demonstration scale designed to investigate and strengthen capacities in the use of appropriate technologies to promote sustainable rural development. Since its founding in 1997 by Practical Action, CEDECAP has achieved great recognition for their work and commitment to developing local capacity for the use of renewable energy.

Located in a rural area (Cajamarca, Peru), it allows its participants - students, policymakers, advocates, social engineers and managers - to apply acquired knowledge in the field, and to see the impact of technology on the life of local populations.

With over 10 years of experience, the CEDECAP offers its users programs, infrastructure and equipment for training classes. It also has the support of an Advisory Body, consisting of internationally renowned academic institutions such as the National Engineering University (UNI), Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP) and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain (UPC).

CEDECAP is located in the department of Cajamarca in the Andes of northern Peru, 7km from the city of Cajamarca, in the hamlet of Lushcapampa (Km 4.5 on the Carretera Bambamarca).

OLADE partnership

Working with the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE), Practical Action Peru's CEDECAP training centre for renewable energy has started training technicians from sectoral government departments in Latin America, as an instrument for promoting and disseminating renewable energies as a rural electrification alternative. The use of a trans-national platform - OLADE - to disseminate the CEDECAP training approach allows access across 25 member countries.

So far 250 expert technicians have been trained; of these, 5 have participated in international apprenticeships. Participants have developed the capacity and skills required to manage measuring instruments (head and volume) for the design of micro hydroelectric plants. They are aware of rural energy planning criteria and of the operation, maintenance and management of rural electricity schemes.

OLADE is planning to continue promoting courses of this type on other sources of renewable energy, such as solar energy and wind power. The teaching materials have been incorporated into a handbook for technicians. The Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru; the Hydraulic Institute; and the Electricity Bureaus of Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay have all now expressed interest in CEDECAP training.

For more information, see the CEDECAP website (in Spanish).