On 30 July, the Social Welfare Institutions (SWI) / Dar Al-Aytam Al-Islamiya inaugurated a photovoltaic solar energy system at Al-Nabras Complex for Care and Development in Kherbet Rouha, West Bekaa. The project was funded and implemented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The ceremony was attended by representatives from both sides, along with local stakeholders and organizations.
The project includes two independent solar energy systems serving the complex's agricultural and care centres. It aims to reduce reliance on costly and polluting diesel generators while promoting the productive use of renewable energy in operating essential services for 250 orphaned and vulnerable children and youth. These services include comprehensive care such as food, clothing, physical and mental healthcare, social support, cultural and recreational activities, religious and national events, education, vocational training, and agricultural production, including fruit and vegetable cultivation, livestock farming, and dairy production.
This initiative is part of the Regional Initiative to Promote Small-Scale Renewable Energy Applications in Rural Areas of the Arab Region (REGEND), developed and implemented by ESCWA. REGEND promotes inclusive and sustainable rural development through renewable energy, using a water-energy-food nexus approach, with a focus on empowering women and youth and creating local employment opportunities in marginalized communities.
The installed system consists of 252 high-efficiency solar panels with a total capacity of 155 kWp, 155 kWh of lithium battery storage, a remote monitoring and control system, and a periodic maintenance contract to ensure long-term sustainability. It is expected to generate approximately 230 MWh annually, resulting in an estimated savings of USD 60,000 per year in electricity costs.
The project stands as a practical example of how renewable energy can serve as a tool for economic and social empowerment in rural areas and is intended to establish a success story that can inspire similar initiatives across the Arab region.
