Climate Action
Renewable Pioneers in the Global South
February 21, 2025
The Global North — U.S., Canada, Europe, and Russia — has always been seen as the driving force behind renewable development. Their funds, policies, and technologies ostensibly lead the way in growing clean energy. However, recent studies have shown the other half of the world has been developing renewables at a much faster rate.
This rapid development in clean electricity starts at a local level. Across the south, from Latin America to Southeast Asia, small towns have used their rich renewable resources to produce power and better their livelihoods.
Wind Energy: Odanthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Within southern India, a small village of Odanthurai set its path for clean energy in 1996. Before the transition, street lights, drinking water plants, roads, and other commodities hiked electricity bills by almost 10 times. A population of over 5,399 people and 1,529 houses were desperate to meet its energy needs. The fastest and most efficient route was through embracing renewable energy which in the long run would reduce their electricity costs.
The village council decided to install a windmill using a private loan to pay for it. The windmill produced 6 lakh units of electricity each year which was mainly utilized for street lights and drinking water operations. The excess 2 lakh electricity produced was sold back to Tamil Nadu Electricity and was able to generate extra revenue for the entire community. This surplus of power allowed individuals to pay back their personal loans while having access to free electricity.
Not only was the village able to generate energy without creating air pollution or releasing carbon dioxide, their clever independent power grid does not have major power outages like other parts of India.
Geothermal Energy: Naivasha, Olkaria, Kenya
Inspiring images of The Lion King, the beautiful town of Naivasha sits on the Great River Rift valley created by the splitting of two tectonic plates. Such strong forces allowed Kenya to have its first ever geothermal power plant as early as 1981. Geothermal is a form of energy that channels the heat trapped within the Earth’s core into usable energy.
Neither dependent on the sun, wind, nor the rain, geothermal energy is available to the community during the day and night, 24/7, 365 days a year. This actually makes it twice as reliable as fossil fuel power plants as it can run at maximum power for 90 percent of the time. With that, power outages have declined.
Other than generating electricity, the geo-thermal molten rocks beneath the surface heat up groundwater and produce steam–which can be used directly to provide heat. The Oserian flower farm near Naivasha uses the heat from a geothermal well to warm its greenhouse. This dries out the air and prevents fungus from growing on their crops of roses, and carnations which are imported across the globe.
Micro Hydropower: Cinta Mekar, Indonesia
Home to 646 families, Cinta Mekar hydro power plant was able to provide electricity to everyone. Through the work of the non-profit Institut Bisnis dan Ekonomi Kerakyatan (IBEKA), hydroelectricity offered both renewable energy and clean drinking water.
These micro-hydro plants use the running stream water to turn a turbine which then rotates a shaft and boosts the electricity generator. A small dam was built to direct some of the water current towards the hydro plant. This gave farmers power and control over the current which allowed them to irrigate a much larger area.
Through such low cost electricity methods, the village generates an income by selling excess electricity to the main grid. This increases the local people’s standard of living by providing funding for much needed education and health care. As villagers are a part of developing and managing their own small hydropower plant, they are able to remain truly self-sufficient.
Wind Energy: El Alumbre, Peru
In the mountainous regions of El Alumbre, individual wind turbines were installed at homes, schools, and their medical center in 2007. This was the first community-based small-scale wind power project in rural Peru.
Since the system works independently at each location, there is no need to operate or regulate the power grid. The windmills were designed to make sure that local technicians were able to climb and access the top safely and keep the running all year round. With the native community involved, the long term sustainability of project is secure.
The wind power eliminated the need for kerosene, candles, and batteries in everyday life – their and their overall electricity consumption was 43% less than initial estimates.
Taking advantage of this power, homes were able to use electricity for lighting and powering up televisions while small businesses, such as radio stations were established. Through renewable energy implementation, the community has community wide economic savings and improved its public services.
Geothermal Energy: Denizli, Turkey
Geothermal energy in Turkey has been steadily increasing with the most prominent proof of this in Denizli located in the southwest of the county.
Power plants use the steam produced from geothermal wells to generate electricity and homes and businesses use geothermal heat pumps to extract heat from the ground and distribute it throughout buildings. By using the same mechanism they can also heat green-houses and crops are grown all year round, increasing agricultural productivity.
That’s not all – local travel spots, like the Pamukkale thermal springs, are also heated by geothermal energy. Their natural waters are rich with minerals, attracting tourists and boosting the economy of the city.
This type of investment has yielded high returns for the community and reduced energy costs, increased their production of high-value crops under glass, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Plus their reliance on fossil fuels has substantially reduced across the city.
By adopting these energy initiatives, we are creating more resilient communities. Communities that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and in the long term, create progressive towns that have set the stage for a cleaner and more sustainable future for us all.
If these towns can do it, so can you. Urge your local community to commit to green development by signing Earthday’s Renewable Energy Campaign petition. Taking these steps to protect ourselves and our planet begins with leaders investing in renewable energy. In the U.S., you can even voice your support for clean energy by reaching out to your state legislators.
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