The Weekend Read: Value generation with rural mini-grids
Commercial mini-grids: To provide electricity access for all by 2030, the International Energy Agency estimates mini-grids will provide power to one-third of the 1.1 billion people without electricity. Powering equipment that can generate income for rural villagers is hailed as one of the most important ways of enhancing rural mini-grid bankability. Rural mini-grid companies today are working with communities to understand what income-generating equipment, called productive uses of electricity, can make viable businesses.
PV hybrid system to save 22% on electricity costs for Kenyan salt producer
A 991 kW PV array will supply Kenya’s largest salt producer with 22% of its electricity, in a diesel-hybrid system delivered by SolarAfrica. The system was supported by a grant from the Japanese government’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).
Kenya is keen to expand solar deployment
A survey conducted in Kenya by Vulcan Impact Investing and mini-grid operator Steama.co, found that those who had benefited from solar mini-grids were eager for more solar power, while also highlighting how the technology had weened communities off kerosene and batteries.
