Extending the grid is cost-effective in connecting large, densely-populated communities who live close to the grid, but the cost of extension rises exponentially when the population density falls.įor those living in the most remote areas, standalone solar systems operating independently of the grid can meet electricity needs such as phone charging and lighting but may struggle with larger electricity loads such as powering machinery and agricultural equipment. Grid extension works by extending a national electricity grid to households and communities without access. Providing electricity to rural populations can take three forms: grid extension standalone solar systems and mini-grids. With that in mind, here’s the mini-grid story. I came away convinced that scaling up rural electrification is absolutely possible we just need to get much better at telling the story of how people are overcoming the undoubted challenges. I recently joined one of their workshops in Abuja, Nigeria, to find out more. The good news is that governments, donors and the private sector have set up peer-to-peer learning networks such as the Africa Mini-Grids Community of Practice to try and tackle this issue. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach that will work in every African country, let alone every small community. Well-suited to small, remote communities, renewable energy mini-grids can now be the cheaper, greener option for rural electrification.īut it’s not that simple. Solar-powered mini-grids could be the answer to rural access and dirty energy. Those who have access often rely on polluting, unreliable and costly diesel-powered generators. These areas risk being left even further behind. Yet 590 million people in Africa currently live without access to electricity, the majority in rural areas. Electricity access is essential for people’s lives and livelihoods: from using fridges to store food and medicine charging mobile phones to stay connected lighting up households and schools at night to powering local businesses.
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