Small-scale power grids are gaining momentum and popularity as a solution to Africa’s electricity woes.
“If you go back 130 years in Europe, electrification started with a minigrid,” chief executive officer of electricity and gas distributor Enel, Francesco Starace, was quoted by Bloomberg news as saying.
“There was a rich man, his house, his factory and a small power plant. Eventually his workers got hooked up, and then transmission lines were laid. Slowly we got the system we have today. We don’t see any reason why Africa shouldn’t do the same,” he added.
More than 620 million people living in Africa lack access to electricity, and consumption per capita is less than what is needed to keep a 50-watt lightbulb going continuously, according to data from the International Energy Agency.
Developers are working on ways to extend microgrids to new markets with rural electrifier, Powerhive, evaluating work in Nigeria, South Africa, India and the Philippines.
