Renewable energy champion and long-standing SolarAid supporter appointed to the House of Lords
Renewable energy champion and philanthropist, Mark Petterson, who is a long standing supporter of the charity SolarAid, has been appointed to the House of Lords, where he will sit as a Liberal Democrat.
With more than 45 years of experience in the energy sector, Lord Petterson has spent much of his career championing renewable energy and its potential to improve lives. Alongside his support for other causes, he and his wife Vanessa have been regular supporters of SolarAid, which works to bring clean, affordable solar energy to some of the most remote communities across sub-Saharan Africa. The charity celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Lord Petterson said: “Renewable energy should be accessible for everyone – whether it’s homes in the UK or communities in off grid communities across sub-Saharan Africa.”
“At a time aid budgets across the World are being cut, SolarAid is a great example of how philanthropic funding can be effective, devising sustainable business models that can work even in the poorest and remotest communities”.
“I first came across SolarAid around 12 years ago and was enthused by their commitment to empowering people in Africa to improve their lives and their environment. Helping rural communities to replace dangerous, polluting and expensive kerosene lamps with solar powered lights is such a great idea – and one that clearly works. Vanessa and I are proud to be regular funders of SolarAid.”
SolarAid’s Director of Fundraising, Richard Turner, said:
“Each year for as long as I can remember, Mark and his wife Vanessa have generously donated to SolarAid – often leveraging other donations by matching their gift. We are so delighted to know there is a public voice in the House of Lords to champion the impact that renewable energy can have.
“Right now over 600 million people do not have access to electricity across sub-Saharan Africa and unless something changes current projections it will still be ½ billion by the end of the decade. Yet the solutions to overcome this problem exist, hence the importance of voices like Mark’s to shine a spotlight on this issue”.