The private sector has been key to the rebuilding effort and nowhere is this more striking than in the electricity sector, where a multitude of private suppliers compete. But the system of mostly small diesel generators is inefficient and expensive. Since the country is one of the poorest, many Somalilanders cannot afford power. ESRES aims to expand access to cleaner, cheaper and more reliable electricity using solar power.
Nine mini grids – combining solar energy with diesel generators – have been installed and electricity bills for poor households have been reduce by 37% on average.
The new system has provided more than 19,500 new connections and will ensure entire areas will be impervious to resource shocks. Using solar technology also reduces carbon emissions by 8822 tonnes a year.