Power for All

A win-win for improved energy access

Is access to mini-grids for productive use translating to improved lives for end users? What does this journey look like for customers who gain access to energy?

Two thousand mini-grid customers are advancing up the energy ladder toward clean energy, improving their quality of life and enabling income-generating activities for about a quarter of these users, often through small businesses. In an interview, Kat Harrison from 60 Decibels discusses their 2024 report, “Why Off-Grid Matters,” which offers a detailed analysis of the data on ownership of modern off-grid energy products and their impact on access, behaviors, and social dynamics.

60 Decibels, a global tech-enabled social impact measurement firm, offers speedy, repeatable insights and benchmarks for comparing organizational performance. Listen to the Podcast for further insights.

How can we make farming more productive and sustainable with renewable energy technologies? That’s the question we explore in our latest episode of the PowerforAll podcast, where we talk to Michael Maina of CLASP. PUE technologies in agriculture comprise a suite of technologies that include solar water pumps, walk-in cold rooms, refrigerators, and egg incubators.

These technologies have huge potential in improving the income of smallholder farmers while simultaneously reducing agriculture sector emissions. But farmers face many barriers to adoption such as high cost and limited awareness about these products.

Michael Maina emphasized that the problem requires a holistic solution that goes beyond increasing the adoption of PUE technologies. He said that we also need to address the agricultural issues that affect farmers, such as ensuring farmers are paid fair prices for their produce and that they have timely access to inputs. To achieve this, Michael recommends a cross-departmental coordination mechanism between energy and agriculture sector stakeholders.

Michael Maina expressed his optimism that renewable energy technologies will power the agriculture sector in the future. He pointed out the growing investments from various actors, such as development partners, the government, and the private sector, as a sign of the promising potential of these technologies. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

SureChill's cutting-edge refrigeration technology, developed by engineer Ian Tansley with 35+ years of renewable energy expertise, has revolutionized cooling systems by utilizing ice and water to maintain stable temperatures for extended periods. This game-changing solution is particularly advantageous for vaccine storage, even in regions with limited electricity access. With over 25,000 fridges sold in 70 countries, SureChill's patented technology has already facilitated the safe delivery of 71 million vaccine doses.

SureChill's success can be attributed to their unwavering commitment to meeting user and community needs. By providing affordable and reliable refrigeration, SureChill empowers farmers to extend the shelf life of perishable goods, boosting their income. Additionally, it enables medical professionals to safely store vaccines and medications. Expanding their product line, SureChill is introducing larger units for agriculture and retail cooling, as well as mains power devices for areas with weak grid connections or individuals seeking greater control over their electricity usage.

To gain further insights, tune in to the podcast.

In our first podcast for 2023, Lungile Mashele, an Energy Economist who works for the largest asset manager in Africa, Public Investment Corporation, where she oversees energy projects, and provides technical appraisals on energy projects all over the continent, shared her thoughts on what is likely to trend in the energy sector in 2023.

She says anticipates solar PV will be popular globally and say that's because the price has become more favorable as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia continues.

“There will be a concerted effort on energy security, especially by European nations, and they will be scrambling to make sure that they get sufficient energy to take them through their next winter as well,” said Lungile.

She adds that there is no political will to alleviate the heavy load that is the high energy prices which 60% of the African population can’t afford. Lungile says people who can’t access energy are also denied economic opportunities and she called on politicians to prioritize people’s needs.

Africa’s most industrialized economy, South Africa, is struggling to keep lights on and the electricity prices have recently skyrocketed. The country was a case study for this podcast with Lungile saying the problems South Africa faces have a lot to do with internal politics, operational challenges, and lack of investment. Listen to the podcast for full details.

In this last podcast for 2022, we reflect on the COP27 outcomes with Solar Sister Chief Operating Officer Olasimbo Sojinrin. Simbo said she went to Egypt with enthusiasm that the climate conference would be Africa-focused as it was dubbed Africa’s COP. While she commended the work to organize the event, she said important work happened in silos and did not go in the direction she hoped.

Simbo also reflects on the responsibility developing nations have to address energy poverty and save vulnerable communities from climate disasters plaguing parts of the world. The consolation prize that Simbo said was worth noting and celebrating was the reached agreement on a funding mechanism to compensate vulnerable nations for ‘loss and damage’ from climate-induced disasters. She said activists fought for this breakthrough for over 30 years.

“Though no numbers or targets or set we take as a win,” she said.

She said Solar Sister went to the conference with a keen interest to see how gender equity, climate justice, and energy access are tackled. Listen to the podcast to hear Simbo thinks these were handled.

In this podcast interview, Florence Nsubuga, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Umeme Limited talks about Utilities 2.0 project. Led by Power for All, it unites centralized utilities and the decentralized renewable energy sector to end energy poverty faster.

In this episode, Power for All’s Director of Research, Carolina Pan, speaks to Alessio Terzi who is an Economist at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. Alessio is also the author of a book titled, Growth for Good: Reshaping Capitalism to Save Humanity from Climate Catastrophe.

Alessio tells Carolina that his book was inspired by the fact that we are living at a time where climate change is becoming more and more prominent and addressing it is becoming more of a priority. He added that the tipping point that called for the book was the global pandemic that rocked the world in 2020.

In this podcast series commemorating International Youth Day, Jennifer Anya, a renewable energy operations manager at Husk Power Systems, speaks to Power for All’s Aashna Aggarwal on her journey and experiences as a young woman in the sector and the role of youth in championing the clean energy transition.

Young people form a large part of the global population and that’s why it makes sense for them to be part of the climate change solutions, said John Paul Jose, a young climate change and social activist. He joined Power for All’s Matuba Mahlatjie for a special edition of Power for All’s podcast to commemorate International Youth Day.

In this Power for All podcast, Jessica Stephens, the CEO of Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), in conversation with Power for All CEO Kristina Skierka, reflects on the recently released ‘Benchmarking Africa’s Minigrids report.’ This is a flagship report of AMDA, an industry association created by mini-grid developers to boost the health of the sector and deliver on global renewable energy access objectives.