With the inauguration of its first mini-network in Dohouè : ENGIE Energy Access confirme son leadership

Providing high-quality, affordable solar energy to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. This is the credo of ENGIE Energy Access, which continues to do a little more every day to satisfy populations seeking electrification.. And since this Friday, with the inauguration of its mini-network in Dohouè, It is the inhabitants of this village located in the south of Benin who are very happy about it.

What would your life be like if you had more light?? This is to answer positively to this question, that the company ENGIE Energy Access *(under own funds)* proceeded to the inauguration of the MySol Grid in Dohouè. Powered by 135 kWp of solar panels and supported by 130 kWh de batteries Lithium-ion, this mini-network will make it possible to connect more than 1 500 residents and businesses to sustainable energy solutions. And that's not all.

In partnership with the Beninese Agency for Rural Electrification, Energy Mastery (ABERME) and *the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE)*, ENGIE Energy Access has entered into a licensing agreement 20 years, thus underlining its commitment to sustainable and high-impact development. *So, 20 next sites under construction co-financed by the MCA in the OCEF project will see the light of day*.

According to Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO de ENGIE Energy Access, this step in Access electrification promises to improve the economic prospects of the local community, by giving them access to income-generating activities and promoting financial inclusion. “Our complete offer of solar home systems and mini-grids in Benin allows a cost-effective and adapted multi-technology approach. We are therefore able to meet the various urgent needs of residential users, community and productive people living outside the national network”, he declared while adding “We are determined to make clean energy technologies accessible to low-income households, by promoting inclusiveness and empowerment of every member of the communities we serve”.

Christelle Agossou, Country Director of ENGIE Energy Access Benin agrees and affirms: “Looking to the future, ENGIE Energy Access builds and will operate 20 additional mini-grids across the country. These mini-networks, co-financed by the Millennium Challenge Account – Benin II under the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), will collectively provide an installed capacity of 1,2 MW, illuminating the lives of more than 30 000 people in 20 rural localities ».

This project, she said in conclusion, “will accelerate energy access solutions in Benin where ENGIE Energy Access already provides electricity to more than 1 500 000 people. ENGIE Energy Access BENIN currently has more than 200 employees, 1 000 independent sales agents and more 100 points of presence across the country, dedicated to providing an exceptional customer experience with high-quality products and services”.

Everything you need to know about ENGIE Energy Access

ENGIE Energy Access is the leading provider of pay-as-you-go solutions (« Pay as you go ») (PAYGo) and mini-grids in Africa. The company provides innovative off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners to have access to clean, affordable energy. PAYGo solar home systems are financed through affordable installments and mini-grids promote economic development by enabling productive use of electricity and creating business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1 800 employees, activities in nine African countries (Benign, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia), 2,5 million customers and more than 12,5 millions of lives affected so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to impact 20 millions of lives across Africa from here 2025.

Damien TOLOMISSI