ESDS Electrification (Mini-Grids)

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SUN-ESDS Contributes to High Tier Electricity Supply in Kenya’s Displacement Settings

Reliable Energy Supply in Displacement Settings. A new solar mini-grid in Kenya creates new opportunities

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, the project seeks to promote access to sustainable energy supply for refugees and their host communities in Turkana West Sub-county. 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 Integrated Settlement which hosts approximately 48,000 refugees. Additionally, the project provided technical assistance to enable the existing solar mini-grid operator – Renewvia Energy Kenya Limited, attract financing from IFC through the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund programme towards expansion of its solar mini-grid system from 60kWp to 541kWp with a 1.1 MWh of lithium-ion battery storage capacity and 150 KVA backup generator. As a result, 2,221 new connections (1,929 households, 275 businesses, and 17 social institutions) are now served by the expanded mini-grid. These new connections translate to a catchment area of approximately 10,000 beneficiaries. On 23 October 2022, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi, visited the newly expanded 541kWp Kalobeyei Settlement solar mini-grid. The mini-grid, which is owned and operated by a private-sector company Renewvia Energy, 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. Mr. Grandi emphasised:

UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Kalobeyei settlement mini-grid in Kenya

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

Electricity supply as a COVID-19 Response Measure:  

Prior to the mini-grid expansion, the SUN- ESDS project had provided technical and financial support in 2020 towards electrification of 10 institutions (3 health facilities, 4 schools, 2 accommodation facilities, 1 WFP greenhouse) that were earmarked to offer health and isolation services in Kalobeyei settlement and host town. Expanding mini-grids during Covid-19 – Experiences from Kalobeyei

Technical Assistance to private mini-grid developers:

As part of its technical assistance to private sector players who have expressed interest to build and operate mini-grids in displacement settings, SUN-ESDS Kenya conducted feasibility studies on mini-grids development in Kakuma 3 and Kalobeyei village 3.  

Beyond mini-grids, promoting productive use of electricity:  

Increased energy access through mini-grid presents the opportunity to enhance the self-reliance of refugees, ease pressure on the host communities and promote peaceful co-existence. In particular, it spurs economic activity, improved livelihood and income generation; 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.

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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