RP Global, an independent renewable energy developer and majority shareholder of Jumeme Rural Power Supply Ltd, has announced that construction of the first phase of its ambitious solar-hybrid mini-grid project in Tanzania was in progress
In this first scaling phase, 11 new mini-grids are currently being constructed to bring 24/7 electricity supply to a population of more than 80,000 people. Built on a cluster of islands in Lake Victoria, these independent solar-hybrid mini-grids, equipped with battery storage technology, is expected to electrify 20 villages.
This project was enabled by the European Union (EU), who provided co-financing through the ACP-EU Energy Facility. Commissioning is scheduled to take place in June 2019.
In the upcoming second scaling phase of the project, Jumeme aims to build up to 11 more mini-grids to electrify 23 additional villages, bringing energy services to a population of more than 160,000 people.
Leo Schiefermüller, director of RP Global Africa, commented, “Solar hybrid mini-grids are the least-cost electrification option, especially in rural areas and the pay-as-you-go business model of Jumeme makes electricity consumption for the customer affordable.”
“Many of the remote communities in Tanzania are still without access to electricity. So far, our regions of operation show some of the lowest rural electrifications rates in Tanzania, ranging between three per cent and five per cent. In these areas, the population is widely dispersed across numerous distant villages and small towns making it hard to connect them through the national grid,” added Schiefermüller.
By 2023, Jumeme aims to supply high quality and reliable electricity to one million Tanzanians, making this company the largest mini-grid operator in sub-Sahara Africa, if the political and regulatory situation improves for investors.
The JUMEME venture was made possible through financial support from the European Union under the ACP-EU Energy Facility, and REA, Tanzania’s Rural Energy Agency.
