Initiative to extend off-grid energy sources to rural areas unveiled

A non-profit organisation has unveiled an initiative that will see rural populations access clean energy. GVEP International is currently supporting local energy entrepreneurs to deliver safe, sustainable and affordable energy services in remote regions of Rwanda, according to Disch David, the firm’s country manager. He said the move supplements government’s efforts to provide power to rural masses. David added that they will work with private enterprises to provide people with off-grid solutions.“Nurturing medium, small and micro enterprises in the energy sector and connecting them to funders and investors is one of the most efficient ways to help remote areas access renewable energy,” he said.Collins Turyatunga, a business mentor at GVEP, said connecting the rural poor to sources of energy ,especially through construction of small hydro power plants, will greatly reduce poverty levels and boost conservation efforts.“Small hydro power plants are a renewable and clean way of harnessing energy. With rural electricity, children will have access to better education, SMEs will grow into macro business and people, especially the youth, will get jobs,” Turyatunga argued.Turyatunga said GVEP has a team of experts who will assist SMEs access capital to invest in simple energy products and services for business start-ups such as mobile phone charging and solar light distribution,” he said. He said about 300 Rwandan micro-entrepreneurs will be supported to grow their businesses, over the next couple of years. The firm is already working in Nyanza, Huye, Rulindo, Gakenke, Musanze and Ngororero districts.