UN and EU fund Solarcentury to build solar mini-grid projects in rural East Africa

July 19, 2017
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
Solarcentury representatives on a previous trip to Africa, for project work in Kenya. Image: Solarcentury.

UK-based PV company Solarcentury is collaborating with the EU and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on a €5.7 million (US$6.56 million) electrification project in East Africa.

The two mini-grid hybrid solar systems, powered by solar PV and lithium-ion batteries, are designed to bring reliable power to agricultural communities Areza and Maidma in Eritrea.

The projects will provide sustainable power for 40,000 people and businesses that are currently using diesel generators, which are expensive and damaging to the environment.

A representative for the Eritrean Ministry of Energy and Mines said the project will be economically and environmentally beneficial and improve local living standards.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The project is being funded primarily by the European Union, with the Government State of Eritrea and UNDP contributing just under €2 million (US$2.3 million) each.

Completion of the project is scheduled for early 2018.

Read Next

Premium
March 9, 2026
Energy-Storage.news speaks with Isshu Kikuma, energy storage analyst at BloombergNEF (BNEF), ahead of the upcoming Energy Storage Summit USA.
March 9, 2026
A European Commission (EC) proposal to add domestic content requirements for energy storage will ‘significantly impact’ the industry but may not reduce overall dependence on China.
Premium
March 5, 2026
Energy-Storage.news Premium speaks with Claire McConnell, VP business development for Redwood Materials’ energy storage business, Redwood Energy, about its recent backing from Google and Nvidia, and what it has planned next.
Premium
March 3, 2026
Speaking to ESN Premium, Tom Best and Rachel Rundle of Eku Energy explore some of the key policies and drivers of Australia’s ESS market.
February 23, 2026
European Union countries have made limited progress on energy storage deployment and electricity network flexibility recommendations.