By By Sean Fraser Dec 28, 2013 in Environment Lima - A new program in the South American country will provide 2 million of the nation's poorest people with free electricity. According to The program aims to install 12,500 solar panels in seven other provinces, providing power to more than 500,000 homes at the cost of around $200 million. "This program is aimed at the poorest people, those who lack access to electric lighting and still use oil lamps, spending their own resources to pay for fuels that harm their health," Minister Merino told the Peru is home to 24 million people, and is the home to the first major solar power installation in Latin America. On June 8, Peru initiated the The National Photovoltaic Household Electrification Program, which aims to install over 1,600 solar panels in the province of Contumaza. This will provide 126 poor communities with electricity, and is the first of many upcoming projects, reports The Huffington Post According to PlanetSave.com , Peru's Energy and Mining Minister Jorge Merino said the program aims to provide electricity to 95 percent of the entire nation by 2016. At present, only about two-thirds of the nation is powered.The program aims to install 12,500 solar panels in seven other provinces, providing power to more than 500,000 homes at the cost of around $200 million."This program is aimed at the poorest people, those who lack access to electric lighting and still use oil lamps, spending their own resources to pay for fuels that harm their health," Minister Merino told the Latin American Herald Peru is home to 24 million people, and is the home to the first major solar power installation in Latin America. More about Peru, Poor, Electricity, Power, Solar power More news from Peru Poor Electricity Power Solar power Green energy Environment