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

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.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

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.

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

July 2, 2025
Developer Atmos Renewables has successfully achieved financial close on its 400MWh Merredin battery energy storage system (BESS) in Western Australia.
July 1, 2025
Battery energy storage system (BESS) developer Giga Storage has acquired a 350MW/1,400MWh BESS asset in Germany, marking an expansion into the broader European energy storage market.
July 1, 2025
Alinta Energy has approved the development of the first stage of its Reeves Plains Energy Hub BESS in South Australia.
June 30, 2025
Globeleq and African Rainbow Energy have reached commercial close on the 612MWh Red Sands BESS in South Africa.
June 23, 2025
The Australian government is set to cut CIS tender process times to around six months as a 576MWh solar-plus-storage site has been approved in Tasmania.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter