Smart Energy Association: Ten sheepfolds located in the Capatanii Mountains now have electricity through the “Traditional Romania with Clean Energy” project
Ten sheepfolds located in the Capatanii Mountains (Valcea County) now have electricity through the “Traditional Romania with Clean Energy” project run by the Smart Energy Association (Asociatia Energie Inteligenta).
Launched in June of this year by the Smart Energy Association, the “Traditional Romania with Clean Energy” project has two major objectives – preserving Romanian traditions while supporting modern technologies that allow the production of clean energy.
Over time, Carpathian shepherding allowed the creation of human communities centered on this occupation and the formation of strong social bonds between practitioners, becoming a factor that generated local, regional, and national identity.
According to an estimate by the Smart Energy Association, more than 60% of the villages on the mountain tops have been abandoned and thus shepherding, probably the most defining tradition of the Romanian people, has been put at risk. The lack of access roads and the difficult living conditions in these areas have caused those who live and work in these places to give up this ancient occupation, defining for the Romanian people.
The “Traditional Romania with Clean Energy” project will make a significant contribution to preserving the national identity using clean energy. The restoration of the access roads, over 60 km of road on the ridge area, to the sheepfolds in the Capatanii Mountains, the only mountain massif where the shepherding mountain villages are still populated by people, and the installation of photovoltaic panels in the sheepfolds will make those who still practices shepherding in these areas to be able to continue their activity and capitalize on the products. At the same time, the restoration of the roads in the area will facilitate access for visitors and gradually revive tourist activities.
“We give up traditions very easily and at the same time we also reject new technologies, that is, we reject the new in general. It is very important to understand before it is too late that we must preserve traditions, just as we must understand that new technologies are to our advantage because we come with clean energy through which we combine the new with the old” said Dumitru Chisalita, President of the Smart Energy Association.
“Change is made through people and with people. If they do not understand what is happening to them, they will vehemently oppose any change, because the fear of the unknown is in human nature. The change we want for Romania must start with people, with information and awareness programs on the importance of preserving traditions and adapting to the changes that the future will bring. In this way, new forms of energy will be understood and accepted, which can ensure Romania’s energy security and at the same time contribute to climate protection.” added Chisalita.
The pilot project to install clean energy sources in the sheepfonds, part of “Traditional Romania with Clean Energy” was possible with the support Salvamont Valcea, the 4×4 Vrancea Community and the Oil and Gas Employers’ Federation. The project also enjoyed support from the media partners who support the Smart Energy Association in popularizing this project – InvesTenergy, News Energy, Focus Energetic, Energy Center, The Diplomat Bucharest, Financial Intelligence, Spot Media, Economistul, Economic Club and Romania Durabila.