BackgroundIn 2015 the Government of Benin launched a special Program for the Development of Solar Energy in the Republic of Benin aimed at the installation of fifteen thousand lamps and micro hybrid solar photovoltaic systems for a total of 5 MWp for the electrification of 105 districts not yet electrified. The management of the project was entrusted to the African Society of Biofuels and Renewable Energy (SABER) as the Project Manager of the UEMOA Commission to implement the Renewable Energy Development Regional Programme and the Energy Efficiency (PRODERE). A consortium involving OTOMARI (Togo), Energy For Opportunity and Horizon Energy was awarded the supply and installation contract for the 15 systems in Alibori Department. The project resulted in the installation of a total solar capacity of 260kWp and 58km of low voltage, three phase grid supply.

Energy For Opportunity is a Sierra Leone non-governmental organisation specialising in the design, procurement and installation of solar electricity systems. ENFO was formed in 2009 and since then has installed over 1MW of solar supply across West Africa and developed a highly skilled national workforce.www.energyforopportunity.org

260kWp of solar array and 58km of low voltage grid installations throughout Alibori Department in Northern Benin

Horizon Energy is a Sierra Leone registered company working in the energy and energy infrastructure sector. Horizon Energy provides full Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management services for both on and off grid energy systems.

Challenges Alibori is the largest and most inaccessible Department in Benin. The estimated 868,000 residents have limited and unreliable national grid supply, which fails to reach many of the towns other than the Department and Commune headquarters. A limited sealed road network, often impassable in the rainy season also hinders centralised service delivery solutions.

Partners

Completed 30kW array and control room at Sokotindji, Alibori, Benin

Alibori Department, Benin

SolutionProviding reliable, sustainable solar electricity to this remote area of Benin required a strong technical team, community support and participation and the right system products. The strong long term partnership between Energy For Opportunity and African Energy in Sierra Leone provided the foundation for the project and facilitated the technical design and delivery of the systems. Utilising the Schneider Conext product line allowed for a more simplified installation and ensures durability and ease of local maintenance. ENFO staff, working with local technicians and community members completed the solar and overhead cable installation works. OTOMARI provided the critical National link and drove the project logistics and coordination with National and Local Government actors. This aspect of the project is vital in ensuring that National standards and local needs are simultaneously met.Horizon Energy was the last partner to join the team but the first on the ground and the one responsible for all of the constructions aspects of the project. This included but was not limited to local tool fabrication, installation of all mounting structures, low voltage distribution pole erection and even some road construction to reach the more isolated locations.

“Energy For Opportunity chose the Conext XW+ products supplied by African Energy for the project due to their high durability, simple field serviceability and ease of installation. In remote sites we need something that just works and when it doesn’t, can be quickly repaired.”- Simon Willans,Executive Director, ENFO

Horizon Energy’s locally made trailer and overhead cable roller at Lougou, Alibori

Mounting fixture assembly jig and construction, Sam, Alibori

Completed equipment and control room installation, Soroko, Alibori

Installation Size

Kandi Gogounou Segbana Malanville Karimama Banikoura

20kW 1 130kW 2 2 240kW 13km Grid 1 14km Grid 1 1 5 1 2 3

ImpactThe technical impacts are easy to measure, 260kWp of array capacity, nine communities with solar power, an additional six connected to the national grid and 58km of low voltage overhead distribution. This will lead to over 1500 households being provided with distributed energy for the very first time. In addition key community infrastructure such including primary and secondary schools and health centres have been prioritised in the distribution systems, allowing all members of the community to directly benefit from the energy services being provided. Less immediately obvious are the impacts that these energy services will have on the opportunities available to the members of the affected communities. New skills have been developed during the project, with trained and experienced electrical technicians, welders and others now in the community and able to take up the long term sustainability of the systems. Additional business opportunities linked to simple community services such as refrigeration are opening and other potential services linked to the local cotton and cattle sectors have been enabled.

Site locations for the 15 installations in Alibori

Completed array and control room at Monsey, Alibori

Community members working in system construction, Kompa Low voltage overhead distribution at Saah