25 June 2014: Hybrid mini-grids aimed at facilitating access to electricity by households and small and medium-size businesses have been inaugurated in eight localities in Mali. Funded jointly by the Governments of Mali and the Netherlands, the World Bank, and the Dutch Foundation Rural Energy Services (FRES), the total installed peak capacity of the grids is 550 kWp.

The mini-grids were inaugurated in the village of Koumantou, Mali, by FRES and its decentralized services company SSD-EN SA Yeelen Kura. Six of the grids, with an installed capacity of 350 kWp, were funded by the Malian Government’s agency for the development of domestic energy and rural electrification, AMADER, the World Bank’s Russian Trust Fund, and FRES. Two grids, with an installed capacity of 200 kWp, were funded by the Directorate-General for International Cooperation of the Government of the Netherlands and FRES.

The inauguration was attended by Moussa Mara, Mali’s Prime Minister, representatives of the Governments of the Netherlands and the Russian Federation, as well as of donors and other international organizations.

The mini-grids provide electricity access for households and small and medium size businesses, and constitute an alternative to the use of generators.

Founded in 2004, FRES is a non-profit foundation established by the Nuon Energy company of the Netherlands to support rural electrification through solar energy. The foundation works in five African countries through creating generation and distribution companies that operate in regions not connected to the national electricity grids.

Operating in Mali since 2001, Yeelen Kura provides photovoltaic solar kits for households and small and medium-size businesses, and operates mini-grids powered by hybrid solar and diesel power plants. [FRES-Yeelen Kura Press Release] [FRES Press Release]