Log in

View Full Version : The Rojava Electricity Project - 23k in 23 days



Sentinel
9th August 2015, 16:29
The Rojava Electricity Project - 23k in 23 days

[Message will follow in Swedish, Kurmanji, Turkish, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Persian, Arabic]

Since the IS takeover of large swaths of Syria, Rojava’s conventional supply of electricity has drastically decreased. In the eastern Jazira (Cizîrê) Canton most power has since been produced by a gas turbine and a number of diesel generators, including several of Swedish manufacture. In the city of Amuda there are five such generators, three of which are currently out of order.

The diesel generators themselves are only a temporary solution, and the canton is investigating renewable sources of energy. In the meantime the generators need to be repaired. To that end the city urgently needs 18 unit injectors at a cost of about $21,000 (€19,500). These costs, plus transportation from southern Sweden to Amuda, are expected to total the target amount of $23.000. Once up and running again, the three generators would be able to produce a total of 1320 Kw and provide 800 currently cut-off local households with 10 hours of electricity a day.

As a result of the heightened military pressure on the forces fighting IS in Rojava, more and more of the already hard hit region’s resources have needed to be redirected toward the war effort. We therefore call on everyone striving for a society of solidarity, in which each, regardless of sex, religion or ethnicity has a right to democratic participation and self-determination, to support THE ROJAVA ELECTRICITY PROJECT!

Should there be any leftover funds as a result of lower than estimated procurement or shipping costs they will be donated to the Jazira Canton’s economic committee.

The fundraiser is initiated by the Malmö branch of Allt åt Alla (Everything for Everyone), a solid revolutionary, autonomist organisation in Sweden which I respect and trust very highly, while not being affiliated to them, so I chipped in a little myself.

This is the link for donations: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-rojava-electricity-project-23k-in-23-days/x/315576#/

Facebook event for the fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/events/1471272659862465/

RedAnarchist
9th August 2015, 19:56
I've donated some money to the campaign, hopefully it is successful.

Sentinel
9th August 2015, 20:29
A video of a worker demonstrating the generators in need of repair:

n00kIGaIx0A

The Feral Underclass
9th August 2015, 23:13
There is also the http://helpkobane.com/ webpage, if people are looking to help in other ways. Medical supplies are a big demand if any one has access to such things. They have lists of stuff they need on the website.

John Nada
10th August 2015, 00:24
A video of a worker demonstrating the generators in need of repair:
I can't just tell online, but it might be possible to repair those generators with less money. Obviously I can't tell online, due to the nature of the war they likely have people who're better experts than me, and there is that blockade and war which makes it all the more expensive, but sometimes it's one simple thing that just fucks the whole thing up. If I come across from someone more knowledgeable, I'll ask them about it.

Sentinel
10th August 2015, 04:42
Since its starter themselves realised they were in the wrong thread, I have split the diversion (http://www.revleft.com/vb/offtopic-rojava-electricity-t193834/index.html?t=193834) about the YPG into the trashcan. I am leaving this link to it however, to prove that I am not attempting to silence debate or whatever.

In other words, anyone is naturally free to raise any of these, or other criticisms/concerns/accusations re: the YPG in a new thread or the main Rojava debate thread in this forum, should they feel it warranted. This thread continues to be about the fundraiser to provide electricity to the population in Amuda.

Sentinel
10th August 2015, 04:44
I can't just tell online, but it might be possible to repair those generators with less money. Obviously I can't tell online, due to the nature of the war they likely have people who're better experts than me, and there is that blockade and war which makes it all the more expensive, but sometimes it's one simple thing that just fucks the whole thing up. If I come across from someone more knowledgeable, I'll ask them about it.

Ok. As I understand it, the problem is that they are broken beyond repair and thus need spare parts, which are only available from the manufacturer in Sweden.

StromboliFucker666
10th August 2015, 05:10
I wish I could give more :(

When I get my pay check i will try to donate a little more but I'm already having a bit of a hard time with stuff.

Sentinel
10th August 2015, 20:39
Apparently some anonymous individual had donated over 1000 dollars today! :ohmy:

It is going well, but it is important that we keep spreading the word about this globally.

willowtooth
12th August 2015, 08:25
why are they repairing these generators? when a single generator can produce that amount of power for less than $4000?
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/1300kw-diesel-generator.html

and i know this is an emergency situation, and people can die without electricity there, but solar power seems like a more realistic option, the Americans left one oil refinery operable in ISIS territory, and while I'm not sure about Kurdistans oil situation, I assume their access to gasoline will be restricted if not completely cutoff eventually.

Bangladesh is providing solar panels which is autonomous power for about $700 per home and they're aiming to be the first solar nation, there are similar projects in Africa as well. Solar panels are not only more portable and less likely to be damaged from the war, but operating expenses are 90% less than generators as well so its more expensive upfront, but its cheaper over just a 5 year period

Bangladesh solar
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/25/solar-energy-revolution-everyones-ignoring-bangladesh/
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/01/25/bangladesh-solar-idINKBN0KY0O220150125

solar in rural africa
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-28/a-laptop-sized-solar-panel-is-lighting-rural-africa

soalr vs generator comparison
http://www.solarstik.com/stikopedia/stiktm-vs-generator

Sentinel
4th September 2015, 12:05
Just an update, it seems like the fundraiser which is now over went really well; over 26 000 USD (113%) were collected. :)

The surplus will be donated to the economic committee of the Cizire canton, according to the initiators (as per the quote in the OP).