From April 2 to 4, 2019, on the occasion of a journey to Africa, ENGIE is highlighting its “as a service” solutions, which are clean, tailored, renewable and accessible to all in Zambia and South Africa.
GROUP
In Africa, ENGIE is developing access to energy for all “as a service”
Coming just a few weeks after the Group’s statement of its ambition to be the world leader in zero-carbon transition “as a service”, the journey to Africa of Isabelle Kocher and members of ENGIE’s ExCom is intended to highlight innovative, tailored solutions that help meet the challenges facing the continent.
The trip will consist of three stops, tied in with emblematic energy access projects developed by the Group: Lusaka, Zambia, for a visit to the company ENGIE Fenix, the village of Chitandika for the inauguration of the first ENGIE PowerCorner, and Kathu, South Africa, for the inauguration of ENGIE’s first concentrated solar power (CSP) plant.
Massive needs in Africa
According to the World Bank, only one person in three living on the African continent has access to electricity. The challenge facing Africa is colossal: enable greater accessibility to energy and meet the growing demand for electricity of populations and businesses while remaining committed to the global movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Our ambition: world leader in zero-carbon transition “as a service” to achieve harmonious progress
We believe that universal access to energy will become reality in the near future thanks to carefully targeted investments and relying on a combination of means: extension of the current grid, mini-grids and solar power solutions, depending on local needs.
The potential of “off-grid” and “mini-grid” solutions
ENGIE is developing access to energy for all
To respond to the shortage of electricity and to satisfy the population’s basic needs for energy, ENGIE is developing access to energy for all, using non-grid solutions.
In rural zones, “off-grid” and “mini-grid” solutions such as ENGIE Fenix and ENGIE PowerCorner make it possible to provide access to electricity no matter what other system is in place. This solution provides a local response and is more agile than an extension of the grid requiring a heavy investment and a high cost of maintenance, and opens up new possibilities for farms, for mobility, for extending the time available for engineering studies, and for safety.
The convergence of three sectors makes the development of off-grid possible:
- technology developed around renewable energies,
- telecommunications,
- the use of smartphone financial apps to make payments for electricity.
This ecosystem involving technology, electricity and telecoms is creating a new booming market.
In 2025, the aim of ENGIE PowerCorner is to supply 2,000 mini-grids for 2.5 million people.
Beyond energy alone, ENGIE can provide solutions for the basic needs of populations, particularly water, mobility and education in rural Africa.
Commissioning of the Kathu concentrated solar plant
ENGIE inaugurates first mini-grid in Zambia and accelerates its electrification efforts in Africa
ENGIE inaugurated its first PowerCorner in the Zambian village of Chitandika in presence of Matthew Nkhuwa, the Zambian Minister of Energy, ENGIE’s leadership team as well as local stakeholders.
