Post by SOLCO Partnership

🔋 Powering refugee settlements means powering opportunity. What if we stopped seeing refugee settlements as temporary spaces and instead recognized them as thriving communities with real energy needs and real economic potential? A recent episode of The Mini-Grid Business highlights the critical role of energy access in refugee-hosting regions across East Africa. Reliable electricity is far more than a basic service; it enables businesses to grow, strengthens healthcare and education systems, and unlocks pathways for inclusive economic development. As Dessalegn Woldemariam powerfully noted: "People are saying that refugees do not pay, but they have clearly demonstrated in Shire, and their average monthly consumption is even bigger than some people's in some bigger towns.” This challenges outdated assumptions and reinforces a crucial point: refugee communities are active economic participants and viable energy consumers. We also recognize and appreciate the continued mini-grid expansion efforts by our SOLCO Kenya partner, Renewvia Energy, led by Douglas Cox, whose work is demonstrating the real potential of decentralized energy systems to serve both refugee and host communities sustainably. We believe that clean, reliable energy is a foundation for resilient communities. Through decentralized renewable energy solutions such as mini-grids, refugees and host communities can access the power they need to build sustainable livelihoods and brighter futures. Achieving universal energy access will require strong collaboration across humanitarian organizations, governments, and the private sector, ensuring no community is left behind. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3QVxymq Photo credit: Ayuen Isaac #EnergyAccess #RenewableEnergy #MiniGrids #RefugeeSettlements #SOLCOPartnership #ClimateActionPartnerships #SustainableDevelopment Last Mile Climate Global Platform for Action (GPA) Renewvia Energy Africa UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre Desalegn Woldemariam Aimee Jenks