Prepaid Energy. Rent to own solar home systems (off-grid)

27.06.2018

In early 2014, the Government owned Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL) and its partner Mobisol were awarded a grant for "The Prepaid Energy – Rent to Own Solar Home Systems (off-grid) " project."

The project seeks to alleviate poverty and improving the quality of life of the rural poor by offering a clean and sustainable energy supply alternative, which is affordable and supports economic activities for people living in rural off-grid areas.

Total Cost (EUR): 22 288 277

EU contracted amount (EUR): 6 000 000

The goal of the project is to provide more than 70,000 households and 100 schools with solar power systems of different sizes. Reaching this target will boost development in rural communities and have a significant long-term effect by providing younger generations of Rwandans with an electrified learning experience, allowing for a stronger impetus on education. Solar electrical systems are a clean and cheaper alternative to the traditionally used energy resources like kerosene and petrol generators.

Rwandans can acquire Mobisol solar home systems through an affordable Pay As You Go instalment payment scheme (paying via mobile money) over a three year period with daily remittances of as low as Rwf 133.

OBJECTIVES:

  • To alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of the rural poor
  • Increasing availability and access to modern electricity services in rural off-grid areas
  • Increasing economic activities of rural households, productive use of electricity and access to media like Radio and TV broadcasting

RESULTS and BENEFITS

  • Affordable Solar Home Systems are owned by more than 70,00 households  
  • The social benefits of access to affordable and clean  electricity includes less indoor air pollution due to kerosene lamps, more time for children to study after dark, increased access to information through radios and TV sets, better learning conditions in rural schools (including the possibility of charging children's' laptops).
  • Local economic initiatives are incentivized (small productive use like phone charging, hair saloon etc.)
  • A contribution to global environmental protection is ensured

 

TESTIMONY

Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza, is a Mobisol customer from Kayonza District in the Eastern Province. He says he is very happy to be part of Mobisol’s tremendous journey by buying Mobisol solar home systems. He got his solar home system in 2017, and it changed the life of his family. Nkurunziza can now enjoy watching TV programs, listen to radio, charge his mobile phone and light up his house when night comes. "Before, it wasn’t easy as we used candles and kerosene lamps, but now I’m very happy my children can study better with good lighting,” he says.“The solar system has motivated my children to study well as they have good lighting in the house and also get educative information from radio and TV programs," he adds. Nkurunziza has also got a source of income through charging members of his community who pay to watch local and international football games. This has enabled him to pay the community-based health insurance (mutuelle de sante) for himself and his family. He also tops up on his children's school fees from the money he gets through showing football games on TV. 

 

Duration: June 2014 - June 2018

Implementing organisation: RWANDA ENERGY GROUP LIMITED

Funding Instrument: European Development Fund (EDF)

Benefitting zone: ACP Countries

Kayonza District, Eastern Province
Energy