30
Oct
1. Start at a household level
Millions of homes across Africa spend $0.50 per day on kerosene for lighting. If that can be channeled towards purchase of a solar home system that works for year, that is sustainable to our customer. We must provide a solution for individual families before scaling up to country level. Pauline Vaughn, director of operations for M-Kopa, Solar Kenya Limited, Nairobi, Kenya @mkopasolar
2. Remove extra costs
For grid access, tariffs and connection charges are the main barriers to customers. Senegal has encouraged private investment by licensing concessions and paying by results (number of new connections). Monthly bills include a charge that allows their up-front connection and wiring costs to be repaid over time. South Africa has introduced a free basic tariff for the poorest. Andrew Scott, research fellow, Overseas Development Institute, London, UK @Andrew_W_Scott @ODIdev
3. Remember there’s no one energy solution
There is no reason that off-grid and grid energy have to compete. In many developing countries demand for electricity is outstripping supply so there is scope for a variety of solutions and a diverse energy mix is better for national energy security. Robert Towers, senior energy economist, Department for International Development, London, UK @DFID_UK
4. Use off-grid in fragile states
A country like Somalia that is just getting out of along civil war will not catch up with its neighbours for years if it goes the grid way. At the moment communities here are enjoying the simplicity of off-grid solar systems to light up towns, power health centres, boreholes and schools. Aidarus Abubakar, managing director, Solargen Technologies Ltd, Mogadishu, Somalia @SolarGenTech
5. Be careful when setting prices for new products
We find that many customers do not know what they are willing to pay for power as they have never had it. It is very difficult to assess affordability levels before you provide a product. Often, once a reliable power source is available people will pay far more than originally thought. The key is to move away from unsustainable solutions that require large amounts of grant funding and provide energy solutions in a way that is sustainable for the providers of that energy. Adam Molleson, programme director of SolarNigeria, Adam Smith International, Abuja, Nigeria @AdamSmithInt
6. Ensure quality control
There is currently not an adequate legal structure related to renewable products (especially individual-use solar systems). African countries need to create mandatory testing regimes/standards for such imported products, as we don’t want the market destroyed by a few bad products. Jacqueline Musiitwa, founder, Hoja Law Group, Kigali, Rwanda @nubiancounsel
7. Discuss alternative financing models for solar energy
Finance is one of the key constraints that is preventing energy companies from scaling up. Finance for solar companies and for consumer credit particularly. In terms of banks, the sector definitely needs more local currency lending. What’s the best way to scale this up? Andrew Scott
8. Make local manufacturing cost effective
The cost of production of renewables in Africa is very high compared to India or China. Unless there is financing to help local companies get off their feet, a renewable energy manufacturing industry in Africa will remain a wish. Chandirekera Mutubuki-Makuyana, sector leader, renewable energy, SNV World, Harare, Zimbabwe @ChandiMutubuki
9. Push governments to prioritise energy for all
There is the need for off-grid, distributed renewable energy to be integrated into national electrification and development plans. National governments are critical and key to the scale of off-grid solutions. Political will, institutional and sustained capacity, market understanding, solid business operating environments, quality standards and reduced fuel subsidies are a must for sector growth. DfID’s Energy Africa programme, as well as the US Power Africa programme will support countries across these dimensions. Christine Eibs Singer, director of global advocacy, Power for All, New Jersey, USA @Power4All2025
10. Support the infrastructure for pay-as-you-go energy
For this type of renewable energy model to thrive it is essential for mobile money penetration to be high. Ethiopia is an interesting example of a country with a huge off-grid and remote population but it is difficult to serve effectively due to a lack of mobile money. Pauline Vaughn
11. Collect evidence that connects energy to better quality of life
The integration of distributed renewable energy into income generation and improved quality of life is actually what we all want to achieve. As access expands, we need to provide the evidence to further support distribution. Practical Action’s Total Energy Access Standards is one approach, as is the SE4All Global Tracking Framework. Christine Eibs Singer
Read the full Q&A here.
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/oct/29/11-routes-to-universal-energy-access-in-africa-by-2030