A workshop to explore the latest developments in business models for mini-grids

About this Event

Join us for a workshop to explore the latest developments in business models for mini-grids and hear from experts in a number of countries about the diverse range of models being used, insights on key success factors in different contexts and the challenges that remain.

Access to modern forms of energy underpins many of the services that meet basic human needs, yet in developing countries 1.1 billion people still have little or no access to electricity. While rapid progress is being made in some countries, further efforts are needed to meet the SDG goal of universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030.

Advances in solar PV, batteries and other technologies are being harnessed in mini-grids to bring electricity to villages and isolated communities where there is no affordable grid connection. However, challenges remain in finding appropriate business models that balance the needs of energy users with mini-grid developers and financiers, as well as national governments and funders.

While there is no one-size fits all approach, key issues include the quality of the service delivered, tariffs and billing, enabling productive uses of electricity and allocating rights, responsibilities, risks and rewards.

This workshop of business models for mini grids is being organised by the Creating Resilient Sustainable Micro-grids through Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (CRESUM-HYRES) project, which is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The project aims to enable the development of sustainable and resilient energy distribution grids in rural communities of low and middle-income countries. Further information about the project is available at https://cera.leeds.ac.uk/home/cresum-hyres/.

At the workshop we will hear from project partners with direct experience mini-grid business models in Indonesia and Africa, as well as getting early insights into a multi-country study led by the University of Leeds into willingness to pay for improving the quality of electricity access in rural communities.

The workshop will be of interest to academics, practitioners and funders who are working on various aspects of mini-grids and rural electrification.

Confirmed speakers include:

Peter Weston, Director of Programmes, Energy 4 Impact

Eileen Lara, Head of Solar and Energy Efficiency, Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC)

Francis Kemausuor, The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre

Cheng Wen, University of Leeds

A detailed agenda will follow shortly.

You will receive an email two days prior to the event with a Zoom link you can follow to join the session.