Page 11 - AfrElec Week 42
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AfrElec                                      RENEWABLES                                              AfrElec








                           The first project targets 50 kWe in 2021, fol-  in construction, operation and maintenance of
                         lowed by installations of larger-scale projects  photovoltaic (PV) power plants.
                         with an expected total of 5 MWe in 2022, 10   “Morocco and Francophone Africa are one of
                         MWe in 2023, 15 MWe in 2024 and 15 MWe in  our target markets where we see that our tech-
                         2025.                                nology for long-duration energy storage can
                           Azelio’s storage technology allows energy to  bring large benefits. We are delighted to collabo-
                         be dispatchable, making renewable energy avail-  rate with JET ENERGY in their efforts to provide
                         able around the clock.               customers with reliable and affordable renewable
                           The energy is stored in recycled aluminium,  power generation around the clock,” said Jonas
                         from which it is converted into electricity and  Eklind, CEO of Azelio.
                         heat with a total efficiency of up to 90%.  “Long-duration energy storage solutions are
                           The solution is scalable, sustainable and  key for countries wanting to achieve [a] higher
                         cost-efficient from 0.1 MW up to 100 MW.  level of electrification while keeping emissions
                           With this MoU, JET ENERGY seeks to  as low as possible. We are glad to partner with
                         expand its business offerings and establish  Azelio in deploying innovative and competitive
                         itself as one of Azelio’ technology providers in  systems in the African continent,” said Ismail
                         the region. It is an EPC Contractor specialised  Tadlaoui, general manager of JET ENERGY.™



       Engie, OffGridBox to pioneer solar




       container project in Rwanda





        RWANDA           FRANCE’S Engie and African solar-kit provider  electricity, and will serve as a back-up system for
                         OffGridBox are to work together to supply elec-  lighting and phone charging in the region,” said
                         tricity, drinking water and Wi-Fi in Rwanda. by  Engie Energy Access.
                         uniting their expertise in decentralised energy   Engie Energy Access is the new flagship of
                         and container-based solar systems    Engie and unites Engie Mobisol, Fénix Interna-
                           They aim to reach 200 off-grid households  tional and Engie PowerCorner.
                         in the Rwandan capital Kigali by installing con-  The project stems from a call for solutions for
                         tainerised systems covered with solar panels and  access to drinking water and clean energy in cit-
                         equipped with electricity storage and water puri-  ies, launched by French giant Engie in Rwanda.
                         fication systems.                      “Our three-year experience in providing
                           The container will also be able to provide  clean drinking water and clean energy to rural
                         internet connection via a wi-fi hotspot.  communities in Rwanda will help us to imple-
                           The concept involves subscribers receiving a  ment this project, and we intend to extend our
                         battery, three LED bulbs (which save electricity),  activities to other regions of the country,” said
                         a charger for mobile phones and a water canister.  OffGridBox.
                           “For a small fee, customers can recharge their   The company, founded in 2016, has already
                         40-Wh battery to power the light bulbs for 4  installed its containerised systems in several
                         hours, charge their phone or operate small elec-  African countries, including Madagascar, South
                         tronic equipment, and collect 10 litres of drink-  Africa, Somalia, Tanzania, Nigeria and the Dem-
                         ing water each time,” said Engie Energy Access.  ocratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
                           The system set up by the two companies   With grid connections in many urban and
                         can also provide electricity to a school or clinic  slum areas in sub-Saharan Africa not connected
                         through a small network connected to the con-  to the grid, or with unreliable connections, kit-
                         tainerised system.                   based solar systems are a key way to provide low-
                           “This pilot project, which was successfully  cost power, mobile access and drinking water to
                         launched in early October, addresses the two  some of the continent’s most vulnerable people.
                         main basic needs of communities in Africa:   More and more global names such as Engie
                         access to clean drinking water and sustainable  are now investing in off-grid solar kits, which
                         energy. It will meet the needs of 18% of house-  also aim to improve the exploitation of renew-
                         holds in Kigali that currently have no access to  able energy across Africa.™







       Week 42  22•October•2020                 www. NEWSBASE .com                                             P11
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