Africa-focused renewable solutions provider, Africa GreenTec has set out a different vision of electrification in rural regions of Senegal. The Germany-based start-up has commissioned its holistic and smart system solution, the ImpactSite, in Ndiob commune located in the Fatick region.
The ImpactSite is a set of facilities providing essential services with the help of solar photovoltaic energy. In contrast to the conventional solar mini-grids installed on a huge scale in sub-Saharan Africa, the ImpactSite offers necessary services such as electricity generation, water treatment, cooling, communication, etc.
The technologies of ImpactSite are optimized in terms of the socioeconomic conditions of the rural people. The components of the system are intelligently combined to offer new opportunities for the local residents to increase their productivity and value.
The inauguration ceremony of Ndiob ImpactSite took place in the presence of several personalities, including Oumar Gueye, Senegal’s Minister of Territorial Communities, Development and Regional Planning; Baba Diallo, the Director of the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency; and the German Ambassador to Senegal, Sonke Siemon.
The Ndoib ImpactSite is equipped with a 50 kWp solar PV system mounted on containers that are coupled with a lithium-ion battery storage system. The system generates and distributes clean electricity through a 5 km low voltage grid. The water treatment and desalination system of the ImpactSite is capable of providing 2,000 liters of drinking water per hour.
The ImpactSite is also equipped with a SatCom (Internet) system and cold storage facility. The cold storage room powered by solar energy will carry out food preservation in Ndiob where the majority of people depend on small-scale farming. The new system is expected to provide clean, reliable electricity and other essential services to 3,000 local residents.
The installation of Ndiob ImpactSite was supported by Africa GreenTec’s partner connect2evolve. The connect2evolve is an initiative by the employees of Seimens Energy that aims to implement a solution that brings together people who need access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity and those who can make an impact. For this Ndiob project, connect2evolve used blockchain to finance its installation.
Africa GreenTec is expanding its operation in Senegal with its solar power-driven project. The German start-up is strengthening its impact in rural areas in West Africa, with the electrification of 20 villages, mainly in Mali and Niger.
