El Salvador project 519-0358 · 1992–1996 · energy

Evaluates a rural electrification project in El Salvador. Internal, mid-term evaluation covers the period 8/88-2/92 and was conducted by the U.S. implementing agency, the National Rural Electrification Cooperative Association (NRECA). Progress in the two project components has been uneven. The multi-faceted TA component is ahead of schedule, with training going well in all categories. As of 3/91, 92 personnel of CEL, the national utility, had completed 419 person-hours of training at the training center included in the new CEL complex. The subject matter of the training was appropriately aimed at rectifying major problems, trainers were knowledgeable, and equipment fully met expectations. More training is needed, however, especially in accounting, since training needs were greatly underestimated at the start. By contrast, the construction component has experienced substantial delays, mainly due to a shift -- which was advisable -- from the local lottery system to the competitive bidding procedure for selecting contractors. Several recommendations are made for adjusting the project's design. (1) Adding household connections from distribution lines constructed under the predeces

Source: DEC abstract, PD-ABG-403 (1992). The source's own text.