President Clinton Announces Four New Commitments to Provide Solar Energy to Haiti

Leads High Level Energy Delegation of Executives on Site Visits in Haiti’s Central Plateau

New York, NY—Today, President Bill Clinton announced four new commitments to provide solar energy to Haiti by Clinton Foundation partners. The announcement came after a three-day trip to Haiti to visit project sites featuring solar energy installations. He was accompanied by senior executives of large energy corporations from around the world, including China, Israel, and Ireland, as well as directors of large foundations interested in supporting projects in the energy sector. The trip was co-hosted by David Crane, CEO of NRG Energy. Together, they toured sites in Haiti’s Central Plateau to view the progress of solar power installations funded by the $1 million commitment made through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) by NRG and their implementing partner, the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF).

“These projects all show the power solar energy has to transform the lives of thousands of Haitians,” said President Clinton. “They provide better opportunities for students to learn, entrepreneurs to create jobs, doctors to care for the sick, lower the cost of electricity and improve the environment. I am proud that my Foundation’s partners have committed to provide even more solar power to the people of Haiti, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see this work in action.”

Clinton Foundation partners announced four new commitments to provide solar energy to Haitians during these visits with President Clinton.

Trina Solar, working closely with NRG, has already donated solar power to support the Lashto Fish Farm and the Zamni Beni Orphanage. Now, through their donation of 69 kilowatts (approximately 300 panels), they will provide solar power to approximately 20 schools in the Central Plateau region of Haiti. This will allow students to use computers and other technologies, and the schools to hold adult literacy classes and vocational training programs at night.

"The impact of getting like minded government representatives and industry leaders from around the globe focused on a common problem is evident from this trip,” said Mark Kingsley, CCO of Trina Solar. "We remain committed to supporting these important efforts. It is not only important to make a great product, but to be a good company."

Matt Petersen, Global Green USA's President and CEO, announced a partnership with the SunPower Foundation to deliver 100 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic to help power schools and other community facilities in Haiti. Global Green's local partners, including the Ciné Institute, the Artists for Peace and Justice school in Port-au-Prince, Habitat for Humanity, and Heifer International, will receive solar power to provide clean energy for their projects. The Clinton Foundation will continue to work with Global Green to identify additional partners and projects in Haiti in the coming weeks.

“Our commitment to provide solar power to Haiti will empower local schools and other community facilities, and give students a great place to study and learn while reducing dependency on expensive diesel power and polluting fossil fuels,” said Petersen. “I look forward to partnering with the Clinton Foundation as we grow and identify new opportunities to harness the power of the sun by expanding the use of solar power in Haiti.”

Jonathan Pickering, President of the America’s Region, JA Solar announced that JA Solar will donate 94 kilowatts of solar panels (approximately 400 panels) to the Caribbean Harvest Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at creating a commercial fishing industry for Haiti. These panels will be installed at the Caribbean Harvest fish hatchery in Croix des Bouquets, and will more than double their current solar capacity, increasing the hatchery’s capacity to harvest fish and create new jobs.

Finally, Greif, in addition to providing a $125,000 grant to the pediatric wing of the new Partners in Health Mirebalais Hospital, will donate two fully equipped General Electric Habihut units that utilize zeeweed ultra filtration systems powered by integrated solar panels. These units will be able to generate all of their own power needed for water filtration purposes so they are completely self contained units. The Clinton Foundation will work with Greif to place these units in underserved communities in need of both solar power and clean water. These units create enough power to also serve as cell-phone charging stations, creating local entrepreneurship by providing individuals the ability to sell water and electricity.

The site visits included the Boucan Carré Health Center, the first clinic to be solarized by SELF; the Lashto Fish Farm, a new extension of the fish hatchery that is now solar powered thanks to NRG Energy and SELF; the Bon Berger De Doman School, a Digicel-funded school with solar power; and finally the new Partners in Health Mirebalais teaching hospital. This hospital, when completed, will have the largest solar installation in the country and will operate almost entirely on solar power.

These projects reflect the Clinton Foundation’s longstanding commitment to building Haiti’s green energy structure. The Foundation has worked with a variety of green technology organizations in Haiti, including NRG and SELF, to address Haiti’s high energy costs, low electrification rates, and high dependency on fossil fuels. Clinton Foundation partners are working on low-cost clean energy alternatives, creating recycling systems to help manage Haiti’s waste, and developing new methods for cooking through effective cook stoves and recycled briquettes to replace charcoal.

President Clinton was joined by executives and directors, including David Crane, CEO, NRG Energy; Bob Freling, Executive Director, SELF; Paul Farmer, Founder, Partners in Health; Valentin Abe, Founder, Caribbean Harvest; Mark Kingsley, CCO, Trina Solar; Jonathan Pickering , President of the America’s Region, JA Solar; Enda Kelly, Partner in Charge, C+F Green Energy; Josef Abramowitz, Founder and CEO, Gigawatt Global; Jerry Stokes, President of Suntech Europe; David B. Fischer, CEO of Greif; Amy Herskovitz, Executive Vice President, Pershing Square Foundation; Matt Petersen, President and CEO, Global Green USA; Aaron Charlop-Powers, Haiti Consultant, Pershing Square Foundation; Ambassador Timothy M. Carney, Executive Vice President, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund; Jean-Louis Warnholz, Senior Advisor to the Counselor, State Department; Pierre Noel, President, Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation; Marianne d'Ansembourg, Senior Advisor, Haiti Adolescent Girl Network; Steve Toben, President, Flora Family Foundation; Joe Cashion, Energy Consultant, Industrial Revolution II; and Jim Ansara, Construction Manager, Mirebalais Hospital.

About the Clinton Foundation

Building on a lifetime of public service, President Bill Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private citizens to turn good intentions into measurable results. Since 2001, President Clinton's vision and leadership have resulted in more than 4 million people benefiting from lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment; more than 14,000 U.S. schools building healthier learning environments; more than 26,000 micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and smallholder farmers improving their livelihoods and communities; and more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gases cut or abated in some of the world's largest cities. And President Clinton has redefined the way we think about giving and philanthropy through his Clinton Global Initiative, whose members have made more than 2,100 commitments that are improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries.

About the Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund

The Clinton Foundation has been actively engaged in Haiti since 2009, focusing on private sector investment and job creation in order to create long-term, sustainable economic development. After the earthquake in 2010, the Clinton Foundation raised $16.4 million from individual donors for immediate earthquake relief efforts; these funds paid for crucial emergency supplies such as water, food, shelter and medicine. Since 2010, the Clinton Foundation has spent a total of $23 million in Haiti, including relief funds as well as projects focused on priority areas such as housing, cholera prevention and support for the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, a body developed to coordinate donor aid to Haiti, co-chaired by President Clinton. The Clinton Foundation has also successfully engaged a variety of partners to bring important investment and jobs to Haiti. In 2011, the Clinton Foundation refocused its efforts in Haiti on long -term development and strategic planning, putting emphasis on private sector investment and job creation as well as capacity building and education.

President Clinton to travel to Haiti

Tuesday, March 6, President Bill Clinton will travel to Haiti.

On Wednesday, March 7, President Clinton will visit several sites with solar energy installations with Bob Freling, Executive Director of SELF, and NRG Energy CEO, David Crane, who is co-hosting the trip.

In the morning, President Clinton and Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health, will take a tour of the Partners in Health Boucan Carré Health Clinic. The visit will be open press.

Following the health clinic tour, President Clinton will visit the Lashto Fish Farm in Boucan Carré. He will be accompanied by Dr. Valentin Abe, Founder of Caribbean Harvest, on this visit, which will be open press.

Later, President Clinton will tour the Bon Bergen School in Domond. This school was donated by the Digicel Foundation and the tour will be open press.

Following the school tour, President Clinton and Dr. Farmer will visit the PIH Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais. This visit will be open press.

On Thursday, March 7, President Clinton will tour St. Damien’s. This school visit will be open press.

President Clinton will be joined by executives and directors of large corporations, including David Crane, CEO, NRG Energy; Bob Freling, Executive Director, SELF; Paul Farmer, Founder, Partners in Health; Valentin Abe, Founder, Caribbean Harvest; Rolando Gonzalez-Bunster, CEO of Basic Energy; Josef Abramowitz, Founder and CEO, Gigawatt Global; Jerry Stokes, President of Suntech Europe; David B. Fischer, CEO of Greif; Amy Herskovitz, Executive Vice President, Pershing Square Foundation; Mark Kingsley, CCO, Trina Solar; Aaron Charlop-Powers, Haiti Consultant, Pershing Square Foundation; Ambassador Timothy M. Carney, Executive Vice President, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund; Jean-Louis Warnholz, Senior Advisor to the Counselor, State Department; Pierre Noel, President, Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation; Marianne d'Ansembourg, Senior Advisor, Haiti Adolescent Girl Network; Steve Toben, President, Flora Family Foundation; Eric Gimon, Flora Family Foundation; Joe Cashion, Energy Consultant, Industrial Revolution II; Matt Petersen, President and CEO, Global Green USA; Jonathan Pickering , President of the America’s Region, JA Solar; Enda Kelly, Partner in Charge, C+F Green Energy; and Jim Ansara , Construction Manager, Mirebalais Hospital.

To cover these events, please RSVP to press@clintonfoundation.org.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
10:00 AM EST President Clinton visits PIH Boucan Carré Health Clinic
Boucan Carré, Central Plateau
OPEN PRESS

11:00 AM EST
President Clinton visits Lashto Fish Farm
Boucan Carré, Central Plateau
OPEN PRESS

12:15 PM EST
President Clinton tours the Bon Berger de Domond School
Central Plateau
OPEN PRESS

1:30 PM EST
President Clinton visits PIH Mirebalais Teaching Hospital
Mirebalais
OPEN PRESS

Thursday, March 8, 2012
1:00 PM EST
President Clinton tours St. Damien’s School
St. Damien’s Hospital Complex
Near Port-au-Prince Airport
OPEN PRESS

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Whisky brand Smokehead releases new limited Rock Edition

Smokehead, the rich and powerful Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Ian Macleod Distillers, has released a new limited Rock Edition to celebrate its credentials as the rock n’ roll spirit of choice for 2012.

The limited edition evolves from the design of Smokehead’s existing tactile metal presentation tin, demanding attention with the introduction of a smoking skull, the time-honoured symbol of rock. Cocooned within the skull are the many adjectives that capture the Single Malt’s boisterous, outrageous, and deep peaty flavours.

Like the original award-winning packaging, The Rock Edition maximises its impact using embossed and debossed techniques to heighten the 3-D ‘reality’ of the new skull design and create a premium feel. The main Smokehead branding is also embossed, while a square letterpress block motif on the rear of the tin, reflecting the bottle label design is joined by a full flavour descriptor that also highlights Smokehead’s connection with music.

Entering its third year as the official drinks sponsor of The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest, the unsigned band showdown, in partnership with legendary Marshall Amps and Lick Library, Smokehead has also established itself as the drink of choice at big rock events including the annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2009-2011. The must attend event for rock artists and industry heavyweights, previous attendees have included iconic rock legends Slash, Brian May, Jeff Beck and Gene Simmons.

A rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Smokehead is not for the faint hearted. With immense fresh and fruity flavours that burst with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt, Smokehead hits the palate like a cannonball.

Smokehead ‘The Rock Edition’ will be available in the UK and international markets throughout 2012. Smokehead is widely available throughout the UK and worldwide, RRP £33.49. Details of some stockists can be found on the website www.smokehead.com