Joyabaj, gatemala

the Community

Joyabaj is a municipality of ~50,000 people within the Quiche Department of Guatemala. Many people in the community live without access to affordable electricity for lighting, refrigeration, computers, or cell phones.

the need

Up until 1993 a community-run 75kW hydroelectric generating facility provided affordable electricity to the municipality, allowing access to electricity for some of the communities poorest members. When the national grid arrived, the community did not have the expertise to synchronize their generator to the grid, and the facility was abandoned. With rising electricity prices, the community engaged EWB to help recommission the facility to allow continued electrification of areas without access or financial means to pay for expensive electricity from the national grid.

our involvement

In 2016 a team of experts traveled to Joyabaj for a detailed assessment trip. Their report concluded a rehabilitation was possible, and economically viable. The Wisconsin Professional Chapter implemented the required civil/structural repairs in partnerships with the EWB-Guatemala office and the municipality. The EWB-Chicagoland Professionals designed and procured the electrical systems of the facility, and plan to implement and commission in December of 2019.

the results

Through this project, steps were taken to improve access to electricity in Joyabaj, helping support essential services such as lighting, refrigeration, communication, and technology use. These improvements contributed to better quality of life and increased opportunities for education and economic activity within the community.