Sourcing Renewables  -  July 21, 2021

Two DR Congo Communities Receive Non-Profit Backed Solar Grids

Communities near the Garamba National Park and Congo Peace School recently received solar power installations through a non-profit initiative that will bring reliable and clean power to the area.

The three projects were completed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by GivePower Foundation and Nuru, a Congolese renewable energy utility. The project was also supported by Congo Power, an initiative backed by Google, and Silfab Solar.

The communities that received the solar installation have long been in the crossfire of armed conflict and instability. The mini solar grids will allow the Tadu and Faradje communities to be less reliant on extracting resources from the national park.

Partial financing for the solar project came from Peace Renewable Energy Credits (P-RECs) purchased by Google. These credits were established to help fund renewable energy projects that promote peace and stability.

“The work we are doing with our partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo is both immensely challenging and incredibly meaningful,” Hayes Barnard, founder and chairman of GivePower, said in a statement. “The DRC is rich in resources that have fueled conflict and instability for decades, while access to electricity remains scarce. Through our collaboration with Congo Power, Google and Silfab Solar, we will collectively unlock new opportunities to scale community-led clean energy solutions.”

Share this valuable information with your colleagues using the buttons below: