OVO foundation has invested £1.75m in an electrification project in Kenya which seeks to provide electricity to more than 300 schools and health clinics in marginalized areas in the country.
In partnership with Energy 4 Impact, the project dubbed Jua will help the government to generate power from a centralized polluting fossil fuel plants through innovative off-grid solutions.
Previously, in its pilot program launched in 2017, Project Jua installed 20 solar systems in Turkana and Kilifi. It now seeks to expand to five counties Turkana, Kwale, Taita-Taveta, Kilifi and Isiolo.
Gaby Sethi, Head of OVO Foundation and CSR said that the foundation seeks to benefit 300,000 people over three years, progress three of the Sustainable Development Goals, and support the Kenyan government’s national electrification project.
“By lighting rooms and powering equipment, we are creating a safer environment for those accessing healthcare services and helping bridge the rural/urban digital divide in education,” Gaby said.
Godfrey Sanga, Energy 4 Impact’s Director, East Africa stated that the initiative complements the government’s electrification efforts by targeting communities where grid-based solutions are not viable because of their remoteness and high investment cost.
“We owe the success of the pilot to the overwhelming support by county governments and the effective partnership with the local communities, schools, health clinics, and Sollatek, the solar equipment supplier. The benefits of a scaled-up program will extend to the poorest and most deprived people of Kenya,” Mr Sanga said.
