In the Nigerian mini grid sector, for example, several projects have become stranded or delayed. The pandemic has further increased the cost of implementing scheduled projects and default of payment by consumers. These effects can, however, be curbed with the right regulatory responses and increased investments into the off-grid sector. However, despite these challenges, the global pandemic provides a unique opportunity for renewable energy to meet the increasing energy demands of consumers and to facilitate the urgent delivery of energy to support the critical health and medical facilities that desperately need it through tailored power solutions.
A few mini grid companies, like Green Village Electricity (GVE) Projects Ltd, have innovated to provide essential support through electricity services for health care centers, particularly COVID-19 isolation, testing, and diagnostic centers. As one of the leading mini grid developers across Sub-Saharan Africa, GVE is looking to support the stagnating economy by providing electricity through solar technologies for essential services sectors.
GVE recently successfully deployed a 12KVA solar system with 30kWh battery storage solution at the Rivers State COVID-19 Isolation Facility located at the Eleme General Hospital, Ogale, Nchia, thereby enhancing their clinical capacity to serve the 100,000+ people of Eleme LGA.
In addition, they successfully deployed an 18KVA solar solution to power the isolation and treatment facility upgraded and furnished by the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) at the Enugu State Medical Diagnostics Centre, Nigeria. This was made possible by the combined efforts of the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Clean Technology Hub Nigeria and the Rivers and Enugu state governments.
They have been able to accomplish this through the support of All On — an off-grid renewable energy impact investing firm operating in Nigeria. As part of its COVID-19 Solar Relief Fund, All On made grants available to four off-grid companies that are looking to expand this service offering to support primary health care centers in these states, as a way to improve on health services in underserved communities.
Furthermore, as a direct result of COVID-19 and to further their socio-economic impact in the communities they serve, GVE as the foremost indigenous mini grid firm has been able to prioritize health care facilities within the service areas of their already existing and operational mini grids, and are supporting their operations by providing a discounted tariff of up to 80% for electricity consumption for a period of six months to help increase their capacity to respond to these urgent cases and ensure uninterrupted power supply for operations.
In addition to powering health facilities and isolation centers and based on their values as a socially responsible company, GVE is leveraging public-private partnerships to drive impact for economic clusters. The company recently signed a tripartite agreement to power one of the largest and busiest markets located at the heart of Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja, Wuse Market. This will be the first of many of these projects in the city center going forward and it stands to provide a host of benefits to the members of the market community which are yet to unfold.