Government of Zambia and Partner Coalition commit to scale decentralised renewable energy solutions to expand energy access
● At multi-stakeholder gathering, first-of-its-kind results-based Demand Stimulation Incentive for minigrid developers launches to further Zambia’s ambitious plan to revolutionise the energy landscape through the Presidential 1000+ Minigrids Initiative.
● The Demand Stimulation Incentive is meant to increase average consumption of electricity through productive uses, significantly impacting sustainability of minigrid sites and the living standards of rural populations in Zambia.
● Innovative sector-wide partnership including The Rockefeller Foundation, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), commits to supporting the 1000+ Minigrids Initiative and universal electrification.
● Government of Zambia streamlines regulatory processes to facilitate smooth implementation of Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions, including minigrids and off-grid solar solutions.
11 April 2024, Lusaka – The Zambia Decentralised Renewable Energy Days event begins today in Lusaka to discuss Zambia’s energy challenges and new investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector. Under the patronage of the Government of Zambia, the two-day conference is organised by the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), the Global Off-Grid Solar Energy Association (GOGLA), Global Distributors Collective (GDC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), Solar Industry Association of Zambia (SIAZ), and the Renewable Energy Access Challenge (REACH) Partnership, and is supported by The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), The Rockefeller Foundation, SNV, Acumen, Power Africa, and The Scottish Government.
The conference convenes over 200 experts and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector and seeks to leverage an appropriate and least-cost DRE technology mix to address the unique energy access challenges and opportunities in Zambia. With an emphasis on networking opportunities, interactive panel discussions, and high-level keynotes, the conference aims to shape the dialogue that supports Zambia’s transition to renewable energy sources in the country’s efforts towards achieving universal electrification.
Increasing access to reliable, affordable, and modern energy remains a key priority of the Government of Zambia and a critical enabler to spur economic and sustainable development in the country. The Government is committed to adopting the widespread use of renewable energy solutions, including minigrids and off-grid solar solutions. The launch of the Presidential 1000+ Minigrid Initiative and recent regulatory reforms are significant milestones that are set to stimulate growth of the country’s energy market. To date, Zambia’s national electrification rate stands at 46.7% with only 13.9% of the rural population having access to electricity. The country aims to raise the electrification rate to 51% by 2030 through decentralised renewable energy solutions.
“Minigrids are the least-cost solution for thousands of communities across rural Zambia, but there remains an affordability and viability gap for the private sector to service these communities. For this reason, SEforALL, The Rockefeller Foundation and The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet have designed a first-of-its-kind results-based Demand Stimulation Incentive for minigrid developers, responding to the unique needs of the Zambian minigrid market.” Damilola Ogunbiyi – CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.
“As the voice of the decentralised utility companies and minigrid developers across Africa, AMDA is committed to working with all stakeholders to support Zambia’s 1000+ Minigrid Initiative through advocating for enabling environment that attracts investment and catalytic funding for the minigrid sector.” Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO, Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA).
“The off-grid solar industry has already reached 6.5 million Zambians, bringing them the benefits of modern, clean energy, and unlocking income-generating, poverty reduction and job creation potential, generating much needed economic development in rural areas. An enabling environment is fundamental for the off-grid solar sector to expand its positive impact.” Patrick K. Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy, GOGLA.
“Acumen and the REACH Partnership are committed to supporting the future of affordable and sustainable energy in Zambia, powered by off-grid solar solutions. We are thrilled to see this ecosystem coming together at the Zambia DRE Days. Today, the distributed renewables sector in Zambia has a unique opportunity to scale while keeping the focus on first-time access for the communities that need it most.” –Jiwoo Choi, Chief of Strategic Initiatives at Acumen, a Core Partner of REACH.
The global energy access gap persists with 675 million people still living without access to electricity, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, about half of the population live in rural areas where access to the utility grid is limited. The decentralised renewable energy sector in the country is expected to play a critical role in providing energy access to approximately 66% of the population through a suite of complementary and integrated electrification solutions. The Zambia rural electrification master plan has identified more than 1,200 rural growth centers across the country as targets for electrification by 2030, including the installation of solar home systems at a total cost of US$1.1 billion.
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About AMDA
The Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) is an industry association created by private sector minigrid developers and development partners interested in improving political and financial environments for minigrid companies in Africa. AMDA serves as the consolidated voice for minigrid developers to accelerate their pathway to scale and sustainability towards achieving universal access to sustainable, reliable, affordable, and modern energy in Africa. To date, AMDA has 44 member companies operating in 22 countries across Africa.
To find out more, visit https://africamda.org/.
Contacts
Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA)
Abraham Mudasia
+254 721883842
amudasia@africamda.org
About SEforALL
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate. We work to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential.
To find out more, visit www.seforall.org.
Contacts
Sherry Kennedy, Director of Communications,
+43 676 846 727 237
sherry.kennedy@seforall.org
About GOGLA
GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. Our 200+ members provide millions of low-income and climate-vulnerable people with affordable, high-quality products and services, rapidly increasing customers’ productivity, connectivity, and resilience.
To enable sustainable businesses and accelerate energy access, we provide market insights, standards and best practice, and advocate for catalytic policies, programmes and investment. Working with partners, our pioneering industry can improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030.
To find out more, visit www.gogla.org.
Contacts
Eva Roig – Sr. Communications Manager
+31 6 20 84 57 49
e.roig@gogla.org