PIND’s access to energy intervention aims to facilitate access to alternative and affordable off-grid energy solutions for rural enterprises and households, using a sustainability delivery model that ensures long-term viability for investors and which boosts local demand for energy services.
Following the installation of a 20kWh energy cabin tailored to local conditions and services at Ogheye community in Warri North local government area of Delta State in the previous quarter, Q3 saw 15 businesses connected to the energy cabin, bringing the total number of businesses with access to clean energy in both Ogheye and other supported communities to 465.
123 households and 753 persons also connected to the energy cabin in Ogheye community, adding up to a cumulative of 250 households and 1,835 persons with access to clean energy in 2020 against an annual target of 300 households and 2,000 persons.
Connection to the energy cabin increased the productivity of the businesses by 65.6% and translated to a cumulative monthly savings of 270,000 Naira for the households from a reduced dependence on petrol for power generation.
In January 2020, Vectis Business Options Limited installed two commercial solar refrigeration units at Sangana and Fish town communities in Bayelsa State that provided access to refrigeration and cold chain preservation for various food produce and commercial goods.
An assessment carried out in Q3 2020 indicates that about 45% of the 380 cooperative members from both communities have accessed the technology, resulting in savings of 5,540,400 Naira in business operating costs for about 171 beneficiaries across the two communities. Fisher folks and other members of Sangana and Fishtown communities also reported an average daily savings of 270 Naira from operating costs from the use of the community solar refrigerator.
During the quarter, PIND leveraged 21 million Naira investment from a private investor and clean energy promoter, A4&T Power Solutions Limited, to install a 21.06kWp solar hybrid mini–grid energy cabin in Lomileju community in Ondo State, connecting 115 households and 5 small-scale businesses to power supply and creating 26 jobs as a result.
Through a partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited to increase access to renewable energy in the GMoU communities, PIND supported a partner-led assessment in 4 communities in Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) and Itsekiri Regional Development Committees (IRDC) to explore viable models for adopting the energy cabin in some communities that already have some local power generating assets but still remain largely underserved. As a result, Ogbimbiri, Azama, Kokodiagbene and Deghele were visited and various options for adoption recommended.
PIND further facilitated demonstrations to community leaders on solar home systems (SHS) as an entry level access-to-electricity technology for populations in the small GMOU communities that may not be viable for commercial scale energy cabins.
