Settled high up in the Bolivian Andes, the residents in and around the rural town of Camargo are fortunate enough to have access to electricity. But thanks to the innovative efforts of Gas & Electricidad (G&E), an independent Bolivian electricity developer, the electricity they receive is generated from natural gas rather than the diesel fuel that is common the region.  In 2004, G&E replaced the existing diesel-powered generators with higher capacity, cleaner natural gas-powered generators. This change had the net result of increasing the amount of electricity generated, while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
 
E+Co, a US-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance to clean energy enterprises in developing countries, supports G&E’s work. E+Co has invested $250,000 in G&E to support this fuel-switching initiative. The resulting carbon emission reductions were certified and sold as carbon offsets.
 
In Bolivia, where less than 30 percent of rural areas have electricity, providing power is a critical component of any effort to improve education, health, and safety. Julia, who lives near Camargo with her family in a home with three rooms—one inside, and two outside—says that having lights allows her children play or study after the sun goes down, and it gives her enough time at night to complete the house chores.