Hurricane Matthew Update

An electricity meter remains affixed to one of the few intact elements of a microgrid customer's home in Les Anglais.

After three long days of radio silence, we were able to re-establish communication with our team and confirmed that all EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp team members are safe and accounted for.  Most Les Anglais homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Trees have been reduced to stumps. We don't yet know the full toll of casualties. So far, people are taking the situation in stride, sheltering where they can, and relying on well water.

The EarthSpark microgrid fared comparatively well. We lost ~25% of the solar panels, but the generation system is largely intact. We're now working with multiple stakeholders on a plan to temporarily retool the energy assets to power urgent disaster relief efforts. Most of the homes and businesses connected to the grid were destroyed, so beyond relief work, we will plan in tandem with reconstruction efforts to re-establish the poles-and-wires distribution system of electricity for the town.

Many thanks to everyone who helped directly or expressed concern as we worked to re-establish contact with our team. We stand with the people of Les Anglais and all of Haiti's southwest peninsula as they work to recover and reconstruct.

Here are some more photos from Les Anglais just after the storm.

Donations will help re-establish and expand electricity service in Les Anglais and the hurricane-effected region. Please donate here now.