Green Energy Solutions through Microfinance

The Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) conducted the Training on Accessing Green Energy Solutions through Microfinance on October 9-13, 2017 at the Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines. It was organized in partnership with ADA and with support from the Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures (MDDI) of the Luxembourg Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The training program builds on the expertise developed by MCPI from implementing the Developing Sustainable Energy Access (DevSEA) program in 2013-2016.

The training aimed at providing relevant skills and know-how to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the development and implementation of clean energy initiatives. It was attended by 19 participants, representing 11 MFIs from the membership of MCPI.

Training on Accessing Green Energy Solutions through Microfinance

Training on Accessing Green Energy Solutions through Microfinance

The first four days covered tools in launching a green energy portfolio including the Energy Needs Assessment process, Technology Matching, Business Planning and Pilot Preparation. SELCO, a social enterprise based in India, also shared its experiences in collaborating with financial institutions to provide sustainable energy solutions in communities with no or limited access to energy.

The last day showcased various clean energy solutions and sharing of experiences, lessons, and challenges on clean energy projects by technology service providers – Hybrid Social Solutions, One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, PR Gaz, Tagsibol Development Enterprise, and Bataan Peninsula State University-Abucay campus.

MCPI Executive Director, Mr. Allan Robert Sicat capped off the training with an inspiring message indicating that MFIs play a significant role in providing green energy solutions through microfinance. He further emphasized the need to generate a stronger buy-in in MFIs to bring the sector a step closer in achieving the third bottom-line or environmental sustainability.