Radio Pacis of Arua received award

In the category
“One World Cooperation”:
the solar prize
was given
to Radio Pacis
based in Uganda
for their photovoltaic
plant reducing
operational costs
and promoting
solar energy
in rural Uganda.
 

“On behalf of the staff of Radio Pacis – said Fr. Tonino – I received the prize in Rome on 24 November. The only award given to the African continent was the one bestowed to our radio station. Radio Pacis has now a PV system that produces 100kWp. The latest extension of 45kWp was funded by the CEI. The staff and people of Arua Diocese are proud of it. When I landed on the airfield of Arua they gave me a special welcome.”

Fr. Tonino, in the morning of the same day, had the joy of celebrating Mass with Pope Francis in the small chapel of Santa Marta.

“After Mass – said Fr. Tonino – I had the privilege of greeting Pope Francis and inviting him to come to Radio Pacis during his visit to Uganda, so that he would be heard by millions of listeners in Northern Uganda. Let us hope that the organizers of the Pope’s African trip will take into account this opportunity.”

Radio Pacis is pioneering grid-connected PV self-consumption in Uganda and East Africa. It is an exemplary project that shows the benefits of the now affordable PV technology. The project has raised a lot of attention since our station is the first in Uganda to be connected to the grid. It is a model for hospitals, schools and other public institutions to relieve their budgets.

“The staff and people
of Arua Diocese
are proud of it.
When I landed
on the airfield of Arua
they gave me
a special welcome”,
said Fr. Giuseppe Tonino.
 

European Solar Prize Award 2014

Eurosolar awarded the European Solar Prize for the 21st time this year since the inception of the awards in 1994. The European Solar Prize honors towns, municipalities, companies, local associations, architects, journalists and individuals for their outstanding commitment, extraordinary accomplishments and significant contributions to the use and expansion of renewable energy. The Solar Prize is given to make pioneers and leaders the focus of public attention and to give fresh impetus to a renewable energy-based and decentralized energy turnaround. It honors projects and initiatives from all parts of society.

On November 24, 2014 the European Solar Prize Award was handed out in Rome for the first time at the “Casa dell’Architettura”. The recipients were celebrated at a festive gathering. A panel of international jurors selected the recipients of the European Solar Prize 2014. The ceremony included the presentation of the projects, interviews with the honorees and the presentation of the coveted trophy.

As another innovation in the European Solar Prize program, Eurosolar’s Italian section and the Board of Architects of Rome invited to the one day symposium, “Energy Transition into a regenerative environment: the future of the city and the territory”, which was held in connection with the presentation of the Solar Prize award.

Prof. Peter Droege, Eurosolar President, said: “The European Solar Prize is given by Eurosolar since 1994 in recognition of outstanding commitment to the utilization of renewable energy. Today's prize recipients are important, innovative and successful leaders in their respective countries, and models for a renewable energy-based Europe, a climate-stable, energy sustainable and a socially just, democratic world. In particular they demonstrate that all parts of society contribute to the transformation to a fully renewable energy-reliant society.”

Fr. Giuseppe Tonino had the joy of celebrating Mass with Pope Francis in the small chapel of Santa Marta.

“When I landed on the airfield of Arua the staff and people of Arua Diocese gave me a special welcome”,
said Fr. Giuseppe Tonino.