ESDS Electrification (Mini-Grids)

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Mini-grids

The SUN-ESDS focuses on market-based energy solutions by providing global advisory services, implementing technical and financial measures and cooperating with relevant stakeholders in order to provide Access to energy for livelihoods in displacement settings. In Kenya, project seeks to address the lack of a sustainable energy supply in Kalobeyei Settlement in Turkana West Subcounty, which hosts 3,500 host community members and 47,700 refugees respectively. The SUN-ESDS provided both technical and financial assistance for the construction of more than 40 km of low and medium voltage power distribution lines in Kenya's Kalobeyei Settlement. It has 1.1 MWh of lithium-ion battery storage and a 150 KVA backup generator. At least 2,200 connections (1,929 households, 275 businesses, and 17 social institutions) are now served by the expanded mini-grid and more than 10,000 people are benefitting from these connections.

This was done in parallel with the private mini-grid developer/operator - Renewvia Energy Limited’s expansion of the existing 60kWp solar mini-grid generation infrastructure. Prior to expansion of the 60kWp mini-grid, the ESDS project had provided technical and financial support in 2020 towards electrification of 10 institutions in the refugee and host community that were earmarked to offer health and isolation services. This was done as part of COVID-19 response measures following a request received by BMZ from Turkana County Government and UNHCR.  Previously electrified institutions as part of COVID-19 response in 2020, Promoting Productive Use of Electricity in Displacement settings :

-         3 health facilities: Kalobeyei Dispensary in the host town, Red Cross Clinic in the refugee settlement Village 1 and AIC clinic in Village 2. 

-         4 schools: Brightstar Secondary, Kalobeyei Settlement Primary, Morning Star Primary and Joy Primary. 

-         2 Accommodation facilities: The Reception Centre and FCA.

-         1 WFP greenhouse

The SUN-ESDS Kenya has also provided feasibility studies to support potential mini-grid developers. Increased energy access through the mini-grid systems presents the opportunity for the host community and refugee residents, businesses, and institutions in Kalobeyei to expand their electricity usage to livelihood and income generation activities; so-called Promoting Productive Use of Electricity in Displacement settings . This report presents the state of PUE in Kalobeyei, the design and campaign activities and, lastly, identifies the recommendations for replication in displacement settings.

SUN-ESDS Contributes to High Tier Electricity Supply in Kalobeyei:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkD_xKL40RM

On 23 October 2022, UNHCR High Commissioner, Mr Filippo Grandi, visited the newly expanded 541kWp Kalobeyei Settlement solar mini-grid. The mini-grid serves as a classic example of how the humanitarian-development-peace nexus can be operationalized to provide sustainable solutions to both refugees and host communities. Grandi emphasised: “People talk a lot about humanitarian-development-peace nexus, they need to visit the Kalobeyei Settlement mini-grid and experience it in 30 minutes. Here the government (TCG), humanitarian actor (UNHCR), development partner (GDC/GIZ), International Financial Institution (IFC), private sector (Renewvia) and local host and refugee communities have partnered to implement this project”.

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• Access to energy for livelihoods in displacement settings
• Expanding mini-grids during Covid-19 – Experiences from Kalobeyei
• Promoting Productive Use of Electricity in Displacement settings