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The ProBaMet Project, a partnership involving Oeko-Institut, ARE, SRADev Nigeria, and Platform Lead, has established a positive listing for lead-acid battery recycling in Nigeria to promote responsible waste management and mitigate risks to human health and the environment.

The CoolCycle project in Lagos State, Nigeria, deployed a 15 kWp solar off-grid system with 30 kWh battery storage to power cold rooms and a packhouse. Funded by Zero Emission Generators (ZE-Gen), the project aims to replace diesel generators with clean energy to preserve agricultural produce. Initial results show a reduction in post-harvest losses by up to 90% and the creation of employment for 48 women in produce processing. The project utilizes 'Energy as a Service' and 'Cooling as a Service' subscription models to ensure commercial viability and is seeking $750,000 to expand to 30 additional locations.

The enee.io energy monitoring system identified that a 48V VRLA battery bank in Lagos, Nigeria, was being overcharged, reaching a maximum of 2.35vpc (56.4v) and remaining there indefinitely. This overcharging caused energy loss of 6.2kWh per day and reduced the estimated battery life from 4.0 years to 2.1 years. By adjusting voltage regulation and implementing ongoing monitoring, the system estimates total daily savings of $7.12, consisting of $4.64 from extended battery life and $2.48 from reduced diesel consumption. The enee.io system, costing $340 USD for hardware and the first year's subscription, offers a projected return on investment of 48 days.

A case study by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification detailing a portable solar power system developed by GadgetroniX for use in remote locations in Tanzania, specifically within the Manyara Region.

Completed in May 2022, a project on Mayreau Island utilized ComAp's InteliSys NTC Hybrid system to operationalize a previously dormant hybrid microgrid consisting of photovoltaics (PV), a 100 kW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and four diesel generators. The system allows for the maximization of solar energy and the shutdown of diesel generators under certain conditions, reducing fuel costs and noise pollution for the local community.

This executive summary outlines the 'Accelerating Private Sector Investments in Green Mini-Grids' report, which examines the Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) mini-grids sector in Africa and the collaborative efforts required to overcome barriers to deployment.

The report examines Nigeria's decentralised renewable energy (DRE) sector, focusing on green mini-grids, solar home systems (SHS), and productive use of energy (PUE). While Nigeria has a significant energy access deficit—with 88.5 million people lacking electricity—it has developed a robust regulatory framework and a dynamic private sector. Growth is driven by international donor programmes and government initiatives like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). However, the sector faces substantial hurdles, including high inflation, foreign exchange risks, limited local manufacturing, and difficulty accessing affordable local credit.

Aptech implemented two water projects in Somaliland. In Hargeisa, a hybrid PV and generator system at three Laasdhure boreholes provides an additional 4 million liters of drinking water daily. In Dilla, a system of shallow wells with 0.37kw pumps and hybrid power provides 50m3 of water daily for community and livestock use.

A case study on the installation of Sustain Solar SUSTAIN BOXES™ in two Malawian health clinics by International Power Control Systems (IPCS), providing off-grid renewable power for critical medical equipment and testing a sustainable business model.

Hamara Grid is implementing a PPPP model in Mon district, Nagaland, to deploy solar mini-grids (30 kWp to 45 kWp) as a solution to the poor reliability of the national grid. The project integrates energy access with livelihoods, health, and education, utilizing a blended finance structure of grants, debt, and equity. As of August 2023, six mini-grids are operational, with a target of 50 villages by June 2025. Key findings highlight the importance of incubating energy-based livelihoods to accelerate energy utilization and the strategic prioritization of larger villages to reach commercial viability faster.

The report outlines the potential for green mini-grids to provide electricity to millions in Africa, emphasizing the need for patient growth capital, concessional finance, and robust regulatory frameworks. It highlights the shift toward 'energy services' models that integrate productive use of energy (PURE) to increase profitability and the critical need for domestic workforce skilling and technological innovation to reduce costs.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks a trainer to develop and implement the 2024 ARE Investment Academies, a capacity-building programme focused on project development and pitch deck writing for early-stage decentralised renewable energy (DRE) companies in Africa.

WeLight Madagascar, founded in 2018, operates a portfolio of 118 solar mini-grids financed by Team Europe (EIB, ElectriFI, and Triodos) with a budget of EUR 23,000,000. These sites provide distributed renewable energy to 540,000 people, including 36,000 households and 1,050 public buildings, while avoiding 1,930 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The project has generated over 8,100 new jobs, electrified more than 250 schools and 100 health centres, and installed over 3,000 streetlights across 15 regions of Madagascar.

The report analyzes the job creation potential of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) in Ghana and Senegal. It introduces a 'job factor' to quantify direct employment per kWc installed and finds that with forward-looking policies, both countries could create over 20,000 direct DRE jobs by 2030. The study highlights the role of DRE in formalizing the informal economy and empowering women and youth, while recommending the removal of import duties and the implementation of targeted training programs to address skilled labor shortages.

The report assesses the direct job creation potential of decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in Ghana and Senegal, finding that both countries could create over 20,000 direct jobs by 2030 under forward-leaning policy scenarios. It introduces an 'Employment Factor' to quantify jobs per kWp installed and highlights the role of DRE in formalising employment for women and youth in rural areas.

A fact sheet by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) highlighting the potential for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) to create over 40,000 direct jobs in Ghana and Senegal by 2030. It emphasizes that DRE creates more jobs than fossil fuels or large-scale renewables and provides a pathway to formal employment for women, youth, and informal workers. The document outlines policy recommendations for West African governments, including VAT exemptions for equipment, carbon finance exploration, and gender-inclusive energy policies.

The document highlights the potential for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) to create significant employment in West Africa, projecting that Ghana and Senegal could create over 40,000 direct DRE jobs by 2030 with appropriate policy measures. It emphasizes that DRE generates more direct jobs than utility-scale renewables and creates numerous derived jobs in agriculture and local businesses. To achieve this, the authors recommend a series of governance, financial, and social interventions, including VAT exemptions for equipment, the establishment of dedicated rural electrification agencies, and targeted training for women and youth.

SAO Energy deployed a mesh-grid in Omolege, Nigeria, using a "keymaker" business model where high energy consumption at a Primary Health Centre offsets tariffs for 96 surrounding households. While the project improved healthcare services, such as enabling nighttime births, it faced challenges including 6-month customs delays and low residential energy consumption due to declining community income. The pilot aims to expand to 200 households and eventually scale to 100 health centres and 30,000 households across Ondo and Kwara states.

The pilot project in Bassa, Nigeria, utilized Okra's mesh-grid technology to create a 'Hub-and-Spoke' topology, allowing high-powered prosumers and businesses to share excess renewable energy with low-powered residential households. This configuration reduced the average CAPEX cost per connection from an initial estimate of $642 to $450 and enabled the energization of 46 more households than originally planned. The network currently maintains over 99% up-time, though the actual Average Revenue per User (ARPU) of ₦3,500 Naira is ₦500 lower than the ₦4,000 Naira target. Following the pilot's success, Creeds Energy is seeking funding for a 1,000-household scale-up across 18 additional locations.

ENGIE Equatorial piloted 15 electric outboards powered by Li-ion batteries for fishing on Lake Victoria, Uganda. The project demonstrated that while equipment costs are high, economic viability is possible, with fishermen seeing operation cost reductions of 20-60% and gasoline savings of 1,628 to 2,750 litres per boat annually. Technical challenges included equipment damage from heavy use and difficulties with battery-swapping logistics, leading to recommendations for more robust hardware and battery modules weighing no more than 30 kg.