Five solar companies have been selected for a pilot program to test innovative financing mechanisms that can help scale up the electrification of healthcare facilities in four Sub-Saharan countries.
Co-developed by the Shell Foundation and Odyssey Energy Solutions’ Powering Health platform, the initiative aims to identify, establish and communicate best practices and data regarding which types of concessionary finance are best suited to ensure the long-term sustainability of health electrification projects.
Having responded to a call for tenders launched in March, the five solar companies qualified to receive funding based on their experience in the implementation of electrification projects using solar photovoltaic, the ability to get the work done within 3 to 10 months after receiving funds, and/or the possibility of obtaining more 50% of the funds necessary for the implementation of the project from other financial partners.
Nuru
Meaning “light” in Swahili, Nuru is a company working to enhance connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Having deployed Congo’s first solar-based mini-grid in 2017, the company has earned its place as a leader in DRC. Currently, Nuru is constructing a 1.3MW solar hybrid site in Goma, benefitting hundreds of households. When completed, the project will be the largest off-grid mini-grid in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nuru company will benefit from a results-based grant for the electrification of four hospitals, as well as community health centers in Tadu and Faradje.
ARESS
The Shell Foundation program will also benefit ARESS, an African SME know for the sale of solar equipment, solar installations and maintenance, and energy audit & advice, among other services that provide electrification in rural areas.
The Cotonou-based company will install off-grid solar systems to supply electricity to 15 private hospitals in Benin.
Havenhill Synergy
A Nigerian clean-tech utility company, Havenhill uses renewable (solar) energy to generate clean, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity in urban and rural areas in Nigeria.
The company will produce solar energy for 15 clinics in Oyo State, owing to a guarantee from the pilot program.
WindGen Power
A U.S.- based provider of renewable energy solutions, WindGen Power designs, manufactures and installs small-scale wind turbines and solar microgrids. The company is also known to manufacture small wind turbines for the East African off-grid energy market.
Selected among the solar companies to receive funding, WindGen Power will supply clean energy to a peri-urban hospital in Bubwa, in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria (Abuja).
Zhyphen
Based in the U.K., Zhyphen is a manufacturer of UK Energy Storage Systems (ESS) focused on battery storage for smart energy & grid solutions
In Mozambique, the company will supply electricity produced from a solar photovoltaic system to a private hospital in Niassa province.
According to the Shell Foundation”The first data and ideas will be shared with a small group of donors who are focusing on the link between energy and health later in the year to improve efficiency in the sector, with a final post-project report expected. in 2022.”
As part of the pilot program to electrify healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, Odyssey will deploy its Powering Health platform to collect data throughout the life cycle of projects to provide information on technical performance and the business model. of these projects.
The program has the support of the Rockefeller Foundation and is co-funded with UK aid from the UK government.
