As of 2019, more than 750 million people around the world do not have access to modern electricity services, the majority of whom live in rural areas. These numbers are particularly pertinent in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where only roughly 20% of the urban population has access to electricity, and this number plummets to roughly 2% for the rural population. For the DRC, expanding the national electric grid to cover all of its citizens faces many hurdles as the geography is rugged and extending national grids to remote locations can be exorbitant. Therefore, many in rural communities have little to no prospect of gaining access to the national grid for reliable electricity.

However, mini-grids and other off-grid alternatives provide a cost-effective solution that can bring the socio-economic benefits of electrification to those communities without access. Mini-grids are small-scale electricity generation and distribution systems that operate independently from the national grid and serve a localized group of customers. Alternatively, many households find solutions in the form of solar home systems (SHS) which provide affordable, clean and reliable electricity where grid or mini-grid connections are not feasible. Fortunately, three companies are already making headway in the fight to improve livelihoods through off-grid solar solutions to increase the accessibility of renewable energy in the DRC.

Nuru

Nuru, which means “light” in Swahili, is a company that aims to improve connectivity in the DRC. In 2017, Nuru successfully launched Congo’s first solar-powered mini-grid. It also has a 1.3MW solar hybrid site in Goma, which is currently “the largest off-grid mini-grid in sub-Saharan Africa.” In addition to these, Nuru has constructed two other solar hybrid sites in Beni and the Oriental Province, namely Tadu and Faradje. These mini-grids offer whole communities access to electricity that would otherwise have taken years, perhaps even decades, to gain access to the national electricity grid. As building mini-grids continues, it is not always as timely as necessary since they require larger investment funds which means there is a need for solutions on a reduced scope that utilize renewable energy in the DRC.

Altech

On a smaller scale, Altech has been providing bespoke SHS solutions to businesses, households and individuals since 2013. Two Congolese refugees turned entrepreneurs created Altech with a mission to promote green, inclusive and prosperous growth by providing affordable, reliable and eco-friendly energy solutions, including solar lamps, SHS and energy-efficient cookstoves. These products offer households and businesses access to resources fundamental to carrying out daily activities and transactions. Providing solar energy solutions for households and businesses is crucial to incorporating more Congolese people into electrical grids, but many in poorer, remote regions in the DRC also face the challenge of getting approved for loans or credit which they need to finance solar home systems.

Mwinda Technologies

Seeing the need for credit and energy solutions, a group of renewable energy enthusiasts based in Houston, Texas founded Mwinda Technologies in 2018. The company strongly believes that access to energy and financial inclusion is crucial for the economic development of the DRC. That is why it focuses on providing individuals with financial solutions for their solar energy products and services. Through these payments underbanked individuals can build credit that can eventually lead to greater economic opportunities as investors and lenders will be able to assess their credit history.

The Way Forward

Renewable energy in the DRC, particularly solar, offers a crucial opportunity for growth. The importance of providing off-grid solutions cannot be overstated, as a recent study found that nearly 60% of off-grid solar customers undertook more economic activity within just three months of purchasing an SHS. This manifests itself through access to new jobs, using their SHS for business power needs or being able to work beyond daylight hours.

– Spencer Springob
Photo: Flickr