GDS International – Innovative Rural Electrification Microgrid (Benin)

GDS International is implementing a solar mini-grid project in Benin with a capacity of 1.7 to 3 MW to address rural energy poverty. The project, costing less than 10 million EUR and partially funded by the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), aims to serve up to 6,000 households and 2,400 productive activities over 20 years while promoting local economic development and gender-inclusive employment.

• The project targets rural areas in Benin where electricity access is low, with World Bank data indicating only 17% of the rural population has access to electricity.
• The mini-grid system has a capacity of 1.7 to 3 MW and is designed to scale over 20 years, initially serving nearly 3,800 households, 1,600 productive activities, and 70 community infrastructures, eventually expanding to over 6,000 households, 2,400 productive activities, and 100 community infrastructures.
• The project's total cost is estimated at under 10 million EUR, with approximately 50% of the initial investment provided as result-based grant funding through the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) program.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2022). GDS International – Innovative Rural Electrification Microgrid (Benin). https://renewelec.org/case-study/gds-international-innovative-rural-electrification-microgrid-benin/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. GDS International – Innovative Rural Electrification Microgrid (Benin). 2022. https://renewelec.org/case-study/gds-international-innovative-rural-electrification-microgrid-benin/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=GDS International – Innovative Rural Electrification Microgrid (Benin) |date=9 August 2022 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/gds-international-innovative-rural-electrification-microgrid-benin/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2022gds, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{GDS International – Innovative Rural Electrification Microgrid (Benin)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2022}, month = aug, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/gds-international-innovative-rural-electrification-microgrid-benin/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }