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AfrElec ACCESS TO POWER AfrElec
Statkraft provides $2.7bn to curb
energy poverty in Africa
AFRICA NORWAY’S Statkraft is to donate $2.7mn in being able to conduct life-threatening proce-
cash and equipment to international develop- dures under light and store vaccines such as those
ment charity SolarAid over the next three years for COVID-19 in solar-powered fridges for safe
in a bid to tackle energy poverty in sub-Saharan administering.
Africa. Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, CEO of Stat-
The cash will be used to help ensure universal kraft, said: “Solar power is a simple and cost-ef-
access to power across Africa to 2030, which is fective solution for those who have no choice but
one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to rely on expensive and toxic kerosene or dan-
(SDGs). The money will be focused on providing gerous candles. We are delighted to be working
solar lighting in homes and schools. with a charity with such a critical mission. This
Around 548mn people in sub-Saharan Africa partnership was sparked with the acquisition of
do not have access to power, and this could rise to Solarcentury in 2020, and we are happy to work
630mn people because of the economic impact with SolarAid to help ensure access to modern
of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Stat- energy for all.”
kraft said. John Keane, CEO of SolarAid, adds: “We’re
The donation made to SolarAid follows Stat- delighted that our long and successful partner-
kraft acquiring Solarcentury, a renewable energy ship will continue now that Solarcentury has
company and founder of SolarAid. merged into Statkraft. While grid electrification
Investing in solar power will mean that is not going to reach most of rural sub-Saharan
households will no longer have to rely on expen- Africa in our lifetimes, the solar light revolution
sive, dangerous and toxic lighting sources such as is taking place right now, helping light up mil-
candles and kerosene. lions of homes which would otherwise be kept
Healthcare facilities will be able to benefit in the dark. Together we can end the darkness.”
from the donation, with healthcare workers
P6 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 27 08•July•2021
