Q&A: Why mini-grids are Africa’s “sweet spot”

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A broad move towards rural electrification has transformed Africa’s power sector by embracing mini-grids, says Brenda Onyango, an operations expert, in an interview with Renewables Rising. Mini-grids can reach remote communities without costly transmission lines and give batteries a second life, reducing overall project costs and improving reliability.

• She believes mini-grids occupy a “sweet spot” between costly grid extensions and small solar home systems, offering Africa’s best opportunity to expand energy access while supporting productive uses such as milling, refrigeration, and water pumping.

• On the speed of delivery, Ms Onyango said, “We deploy containerised systems that come pre-assembled with power electronics and wiring directly from the factory. It’s almost a plug-and-play solution that significantly reduces construction time.”

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