Coastal communities are considered difficult terrains and are mostly unconnected to the electricity grid, prompting over-reliance on petrol generators with their ever-rising costs and health hazards. This situation kindles continued poverty and inequity. In every problem lies an untapped opportunity. PIND saw the opportunity to facilitate off-grid, low-carbon, low-cost solar solutions to meet local needs and launched an access-to-energy intervention that promotes economic activity in the coastal communities.
In the previous 2015 to 2019 strategic phase, PIND assessed energy requirements and possible solutions for underserved coastal communities, incentivized private renewable energy providers to develop business models specific to the last-mile customers, and fostered engagements between them and community stakeholders. This was done to secure buy-in for a demand-and-supply meet that assures long-term viability for the investors and boosts demand for renewable energy services. The engagements facilitated power purchase exclusivity agreement between eight (8) coastal communities in Bayelsa State and Delta State and two (2) different energy service providers to scale up the model—ensuring continuous access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy as desired by SDG 7.
The advent of the pandemic and COVID-19 follow-on restrictions hindered community engagements and disrupted partner engagements. PIND utilized virtual meeting platforms and telephone calls to monitor project activities and connect the stakeholders—focusing on using community leaders to market the energy models to other community members for buy-in.
Working virtually with private clean energy providers and community associations, PIND facilitated the setup of six (6) energy cabins in six (6) coastal communities. They provided reliable electricity to a group of businesses and households in the communities. The energy cabins helped them reduce business costs, extend their business hours, and power large-load appliances.
