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AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec
Micro-grids to play key role in relief work
AFRICA
MICRO-GRIDS and other on-site renewable energy installations could supply refugee com- munities across the globe with the cheap, reliable electricity they need.
New research from the International Renew- able Energy Agency (IRENA) and UNHCR found that the world’s 26mn refugees could har- ness renewables to pursue education and sup- port businesses and social enterprises.
Distributed, or on-site, solar panels would avoid the use of expensive and dirty diesel, would improve the efficiency of humanitarian oper- ations and give recently arrived refugees quick access to reliable electricity.
Micro-grids are a smaller version of mini- grids, which a number of global investors and the World Bank view as a key way to provide universal access to power.
In July, the World Bank said that $220bn of investment from private and public sources was needed to finance up to 210,000 new mini-grids worldwide, giving 490mn people access to power by 2030.
Scaling this back down to the micro level, solar energy can play a key humanitarian role that will also stimulate economic growth.
“Renewables can quickly and effectively change the lives of refugees for the better,” added IRENA’s director-general, Francesco La Camera.
“Off-grid and grid-connected small and medium-sized solar installations are available, affordable and can bring reliable power to mil- lions of displaced people around the world. We are looking forward to closely [working with and supporting] UNHCR in its effort to protect life in humanitarian situations. Renewable solutions could become essential to the humanitarian
toolkit.” The report’s findings are based on data at refugee camps at Tsore and Sherkole in Ethio- pia and Darashakran and Domiz camps in Iraq.
In Ethiopia, most refugees lack any reliable access to electric lighting. Stand-alone solar systems with battery banks could cushion the impact of voltage fluctuations on the grid. Larger solar parks could provide electricity in and around settlements, as well as creating an enduring asset for host communities.
At the two camps, 7% of refugees were found to have access to lighting from a generator for four hours per day. This compares with a 31% access to power rate for the whole of rural Ethiopia.
In Iraq, blackouts and brownouts remain frequent even at grid-connected settlements, leaving refugees and the humanitarian commu- nity dependent on expensive, polluting diesel generators.
The research is part of the UNHCR’s Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy 2019-2024, which is supported by IRENA. The report high- lights prime opportunities to strengthen any humanitarian operation which can be replicated in other similar situations.
“We are looking forward to closely work and support UNHCR in its effort to protect life in humanitarian situations,” said IRENA direc- tor-general Francesco La Camera.
“Off-grid and grid connected small and medium sized solar installations are availa- ble, affordable and can bring reliable power to millions of displaced people around the world. Renewables can quickly and effectively change the lives of refugees for the better,” La Camera added.
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w w w . N E W S B A S E . c o m Week 50 19•December•2019
