Egyptian Scientist Brings Solar-Powered Electricity to Basaisa Village
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Loading... - Vittoria Marino
- 19 Aug 2024
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In a remarkable achievement, Basaisa village in Egypt's Delta region has become a model for decentralized solar energy progress, thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Salah Arafa, a physics professor at the American University in Cairo (AUC).
Arafa's "Journey Back to the Roots" project, launched in 1974, has brought solar-powered electricity to the village, providing a sustainable and economical solution to the community's energy needs. The project has gained international recognition as one of Egypt's most successful sustainable development initiatives.
A Decades-Long Commitment to Community Development
Arafa's work in Basaisa spans over five decades, during which he has worked closely with the local community to promote sustainable development. In the 1970s, he would travel to the village every Friday, working alongside 650 volunteers to create an "integrated approach to development." The program included training courses in agriculture, literacy classes, and promotion of concepts such as teamwork and community building.
In 1983, Arafa founded two associations in Basaisa, one focused on generating income to finance the project and the other on local community development. The project's success encouraged Arafa to start another initiative in 1992, establishing New Basaisa in a desert community in Ras Sudr, south of the Sinai Governorate.
A Solar-Powered Community
Today, the residents of Basaisa village have been actively involved in generating electricity using solar panels for over 50 years. They have distributed energy to homes at symbolic prices and used solar water heaters. In 2017, Arafa and the Basaisa community established the first solar power station on the roof of the Basaisa Community Development Association, supplying electricity to the community center, mosque, and several homes.
Arafa's Legacy
Arafa's work has transformed Basaisa from a poor and marginalized village into an eco-friendly community that promotes and applies the concept of sustainable development. As one of Egypt's leading environmental scientists, he has contributed significantly to spreading clean energy in Egypt through his two projects, Basaisa and New Basaisa.
"My real reward is knowing that we can transform deeply rooted traditional beliefs and old ways of thinking, which have been adopted for years, into positive ones that align with sustainable development," Arafa said. "I consider this a significant step forward."
