A project supported by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has won an award from the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) in the “Best Off-Grid Project” category. The project, which is implemented by ENSOL Ltd., a Tanzanian company specializing in solar energy, received technical assistance and funding under the local development finance practice area’s Local Finance Initiative (LFI).

The awarded project is about solar panel technology that generates and distributes electricity to individual households in the village. It has a capacity of 50kw and can generate, distribute, store and regulate the flow of electricity in the village. Since this is an off-grid independent station, it is not connected to the national power grid.

The Solar Village Micro Grid Project supports rural electrification in the village of Mpale in Tanzania, which will directly benefit 3,000 people and future expansion will benefit around 10,000 people.The project contributes to the sustainable and inclusive development of Korogwe District. It also serves as a demonstration platform with tremendous potential for replication and scale up to other villages in the region, and to other parts of the country.

ARE represents the decentralized clean energy sector with members along the whole value chain. It was founded in 2006 to act as a solution provider in order to advance access to clean energy and energy services in developing and emerging countries. ARE is also a partner of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).

The ARE Awards recognize the energy access initiatives undertaken and results achieved by the most passionate and innovative stakeholders and to stimulate the exchange of knowledge.

The ENSOL Mpale project won in the newest category of ARE Awards, which rewards the most effective initiative and/or project implemented in its category. Mr. Peter Malika, Global Manager of LFI, said: “When we talk about offering last mile finance models that unlock public or private finance for the poor, this is what we mean. UNCDF support to the Mpale village project, in a locality that has seen minimal public or private investments, due partly to its remote location and challenging terrain, is especially important because development assistance is applied where it is needed most—at the last mile.”

The ARE Awards’ announcement stated that “The decision has been taken as a result of analysis and evaluations of the Jury and because of ENSOL’s strong efforts to implement solar mini-grids providing energy access to rural populations.”

The Award was presented during the ARE Awards ceremony which was held at the 4^th ARE Energy Access Investment Summit in Catania, Sicily on the evening of 13th March 2018.

For the Mpale Case Study, click here.