Nyasha Chasakara’s Post

Southern Africa's path to sustainable power lies in harnessing the abundant solar resources. As Zimbabwe struggles with its worst power crisis in 40 years, renewable energy emerges as a viable solution for both economic recovery and climate resilience. This article by Lawrence Makamanzi highlight how the Glen View solar project in Zimbabwe demonstrates the potential of community-based initiatives, while strategic investments in renewable infrastructure could transform Zimbabwe's energy landscape. An insightful analysis on how solar power could be the key to addressing the nation's 18-hour power outages while creating jobs and fostering sustainable development. #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #Zimbabwe #CleanEnergy #EconomicGrowth #SADC https://lnkd.in/dV88S6Hd

How impactful is solar energy distribution in Africa ? Solar energy distribution in Africa is increasingly impactful, with private firms driving a solar power revolution. Last year, Africa installed a record amount of photovoltaic capacity, highlighting solar energy's growing role in the continent's energy mix. Showcasing solar energy's potential in enhancing energy access and sustainability in Africa. For instance, a partnership between the Portuguese group MCA and South Korean company Samsung aims to distribute solar energy at night to over 200,000 homes in Angola, benefiting around one million people. Private firms are driving a revolution in solar power in Africa, faced with Unreliable energy grids new energy solutions are being adopted by African countries.

The integration of solar energy into Pakistan's #energy mix is not merely a choice but an imperative dictated by the urgency of #climatechange, #energysecurity, and socioeconomic #development. By @riazmissen Read more👇 https://lnkd.in/dgR554Uf #solarenergy #Pakistan #Solar

Here is daily dose of renewable energy: Despite the promise of 14 new solar farms to boost Nigeria’s limited solar industry and significantly increase electricity supply, progress has stalled due to the government’s refusal to provide essential guarantees to developers. While small-scale home solar systems are gaining popularity, major projects face challenges in Nigeria’s risky business environment. https://lnkd.in/gXz_Gr43 Follow for more ☀️

Today, Husk Power and Acumen announced $500,000 funding in the form of a grant from Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach (H2R) initiative to support the company’s entry into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), growing access to decentralized renewable energy solutions in the world’s second largest population living without access to electricity. Announced at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Husk Power’s expansion into the DRC not only advances its ambitious ‘Africa Sunshot’ initiative but also signals a transformative shift for decentralized renewable energy in one of the world’s most energy-starved regions. Africa Sunshot, announced at the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, targets having 2,500 minigrids on the continent by 2030. The company already operates the largest fleet of community solar minigrids in Nigeria, where 90 million people are still living off grid. “This catalytic support from H2R is a critical piece of the puzzle for scaling community solar minigrids in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the World Bank says minigrids are the most cost-effective way to electrify 380 million people,” said CEO and Co-Founder Manoj Sinha. “We look forward to partnering closely with the government to scale our solutions in the DRC on an accelerated timeline, and directly contributing to the goals of Mission 300, a World Bank and African Development initiative to electrify 300 million people by the end of the decade.” Acumen’s H2R aims to electrify 72 million people in sub-Saharan Africa over 10 years by scaling solar solutions in underserved markets. “We are thrilled to support Husk’s expansion the DRC at this crucial time, as it has the potential to transform lives by creating millions of affordable and clean energy connections in a highly underserved market where nearly 80 million people still lack access to electricity. Husk’s expansion to the DRC could be a game-changer by bringing light and opportunity to communities that have been left behind,” said Sandra H., Head of Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach Development Facility. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dXHVE9kZ #RenewableEnergy #Solar #Congo #Investment

Zambia is leveraging solar energy to combat its 12-hour daily load shedding, highlighting a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in Africa. This initiative not only aims to alleviate the current energy crisis but also to promote long-term energy resilience. https://lnkd.in/di782k3J #cleanenergy #solarpower #sustainability

Centragrid’s 25MW solar PV plant in Zimbabwe is not only a crucial step for addressing the country's electricity rationing but also sets a model for broader adoption across Africa. In a region where grid instability and inconsistent power supply hinder economic growth, projects like this showcase how renewable energy can provide immediate relief and long-term stability. Drawing from my experience in deploying renewable energy projects across Africa, it's evident that solar PV installations can significantly reduce dependency on hydro and fossil fuel-based energy, which are often vulnerable to droughts and supply chain disruptions. Zimbabwe’s electricity rationing is a familiar issue across many African nations, where infrastructure challenges, population growth, and economic demands outpace grid capacity. The scalable nature of solar power, combined with energy storage solutions, provides a way for countries to not only stabilize their energy supply but also drive economic growth by powering key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tech hubs. Moreover, this project highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding clean energy infrastructure. Governments across the continent should look to similar models to attract investment and accelerate deployment. As countries like Zimbabwe adopt these solutions, it serves as a blueprint for how the rest of Africa can take significant strides toward energy independence and sustainability, meeting both immediate needs and long-term development goals. For more details, visit CleanTechnica (https://lnkd.in/eRUY3jZm) #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Zimbabwe #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #AfricaEnergy #GridStability #EnergyIndependence

Husk Power Expands to DRC with Support from Acumen 🌱 ⚡ Husk Power, a solar-hybrid minigrids firm, is entering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with funding support from Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach (H2R) initiative. The initiative aims to electrify 72 million people in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade by scaling solar solutions in underserved markets. 💰 Acumen is providing a USD 500,000 grant to Husk, enabling the company to establish a corporate presence, secure government clearances, develop a pipeline of renewable energy projects, and deploy minigrids in the DRC. 💬 “This catalytic support from H2R is a critical piece of the puzzle for scaling community solar minigrids in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the World Bank says minigrids are the most cost-effective way to electrify 380 million people,” said Manoj Sinha, Husk Power’s CEO. 🌞 Adding the DRC to its operations advances Husk Power’s Africa Sunshot initiative, announced in 2023, which aims to install 2,500 minigrids across Africa by 2030. Congratulations to Manoj Sinha and Sandra H.! #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Minigrids #HuskPower #CleanEnergy #SubSaharanAfrica #EnergyAccess #Sustainability

This is so true Jigar, this is exactly what we are proposing in Africa, decentralized power grids, smaller, modular point of use, is faster, to install, and less costly to deploy than large grid tied systems, that take decades to deploy. GHOST is leading the Way.

Inaccessibility nurturing clean #energy is a ripple effect not many could predict more so in relation to some of the world’s most destitute areas such as the eastern Democratic Republic of #Congo. The Kasongo’s are a family found in the Balendelende / Kamikaze villages of the DRC in the Maniema province and what does their purchase of #solar panels mean for clean energy on the African continent. #Africa has substantial new and #renewable energy resources, most of which are under-exploited. Only about 7% of Africa’s enormous hydro potential has been harnessed. Existing estimates of hydro potential do not include small, mini and micro hydro opportunities, which are also significant. Geothermal energy potential stands at 9000MW, but only about 60MW has been exploited in #Kenya with estimations indicating that a significant proportion of current electricity generation in 16 Eastern and Southern African countries could be met by bagasse-based cogeneration in the sugar industry. Being part of a savings group, the Kasongo’s have been able to purchase over 50 iron sheets, driers and rafters in preparation for the construction of better #housing, additionally a purchase of a mill and a battery to power the current and forthcoming house. The Kasongo’s like many other families in the #unconditional cash transfer project seek to always include solar panels as a means of #electricity / energy due to the inaccessible and unreliable nature of the #national grid and is the case often, the inability to afford it. Additionally the one-time payment when it comes to solar is more attractive than the continued payments if they were to use #fuel based (generators) sources of energy or the monthly payments on the national grid. Considering the already minor carbon footprint of the Balendelende / Kamikaze villages, the continued trend in the purchase of solar energy not only helps sustain them but in their own special way, combat #climatechange