ENGIE Equatorial inaugurates game-changing Lolwe Mini-Grid in Uganda

Fully integrated clean energy multi-utility, from electricity to rural service delivery; Aligned with a sustainable, green and blue economy; Business model centered around productive use of energy; Life-changing impact for the local population; Most advanced mini-grid in Africa sets a new benchmark for the future of energy access on the continent

ENGIE Equatorial is pleased to announce that the Lolwe hybrid solar 600 kWp mini-grid, with integrated productive hub and e-mobility, has been inaugurated today on Lolwe Island, Uganda, in the presence of Uganda’s Minister of Energy Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa.

This joint project between ENGIE Energy Access and Equatorial Power Ltd. is the most advanced mini-grid on the African continent. It is the result of a strong African-European alliance and is a real game-changer for the energy landscape in Uganda and the continent at large.

This project, which sets new records in terms of value and replicability, connects over 3,000 households and more than 700 businesses, impacting 15,000 people and providing clean, reliable electricity, as well as a range of other services. The project addresses the urgent needs of the local population, which lacks access to clean, reliable energy and clean water. The project is scalable to the entire Lake Victoria region (the largest lake in Africa) and can be rolled out across other African countries.

Beyond delivering affordable, reliable and renewable electricity, the Lolwe mini-grid features a productive hub that will transform raw materials into value-adding products, addressing basic needs that are currently insufficiently met on the islands. The hub includes water-pumping, distribution and purification services, modern fish-drying facilities and ice-making devices to conserve the daily catch of fish.

An electric mobility solution for fishing boats and motorcycles completes the integrated and green energy-enabled infrastructure on the site, for the benefit of users. ENGIE Equatorial is also providing business incubation and asset-financing services to empower the growth of local businesses. 

The Lolwe project is a truly scalable model – matching green infrastructure and ICT innovation to deliver real impact. This is the beginning of a “mini-grid 2.0” model that delivers more for investors and communities alike. It is a significant milestone and benchmark for the energy access space.

Riccardo Ridolfi, CEO of ENGIE Equatorial, says: “With the Lowe project, we demonstrate our vision of energy access: electricity to us is not an end but a means to offer other essential services like clean water, agro-processing, and electric mobility as well. This is the vision we believe will truly impact communities and bring financially and socially sustainable development to the African continent.”

Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of ENGIE Energy Access, comments: “The Lolwe mini-grid’s distributed renewable technology and integrated business model will significantly improve the lives and economic perspectives of the underserved communities living far from the grid. The Lolwe mini-grid is setting the stage for the next generation of decentralized energy infrastructure, and will help to accelerate universal energy access.”

With adequate institutional support, ENGIE Equatorial is committed to investing substantial amounts of capital to replicate this project across all the islands of Lake Victoria and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ENGIE.

ENGIE Energy Access Press contact:
ayisola.iroche@engie.com

Equatorial Power Press contact:
info@equatorial-power.com

About ENGIE Energy Access:
ENGIE Energy Access is the leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa, with a mission to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions and life-changing services with exceptional customer experience. The company is a result of the integration of Fenix International, ENGIE Mobisol and ENGIE PowerCorner; and develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGo solar home systems are financed through affordable installments from $0.19 per day and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1,700 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), over 1.3 million customers and 6.5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to remain the leading clean energy company, serving millions of customers across Africa by 2025.

For more, please visit https://ENGIE-energyaccess.com/

About Equatorial Power:
Equatorial Power is a distributed energy infrastructure company that provides reliable and affordable access to energy to underserved communities via solar mini-grids, whilst also delivering transformative services and products that have a high impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the customers and on the environment. These services include agriculture value addition, water purification and e-mobility. Equatorial Power is present in DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, has so far installed 1 MWP in 6 sites achieving 6000 connections and impacting over 30,000 people, and aims to provide access to productive electricity and clean water to a million people in the next five years.

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