In the heart of Tanzania, a quiet revolution is brewing, one that could reshape the future of rural electrification across sub-Saharan Africa. A groundbreaking study led by Adeoluwa Jimoh from the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London has uncovered a novel approach to enhance the utilisation of solar mini-grids in farming communities, potentially slashing costs and boosting energy access.
The challenge is stark: approximately 80% of the global population without electricity resides in sub-Saharan Africa, with rural areas bearing the brunt. Solar-powered mini-grids have emerged as a beacon of hope, but their deployment is hampered by high costs, low electricity demand, and limited incomes in rural households. Jimoh’s research, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, translates to ‘Letters on Environmental Research’ in English, offers a compelling solution by integrating irrigation loads into these mini-grids.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of rural economies in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 70% of incomes. However, it’s a sector under threat, reliant on rainfall and plagued by low irrigation levels in the face of climate change. Jimoh’s study suggests that by strategically incorporating irrigation loads, solar mini-grids can become more economically viable, reducing the levelised cost of used electricity (LCUE) while improving farmer yields and incomes.
The key lies in optimising crop mixes, irrigation timing, and planting seasons. “By selecting crops with longer growth periods and implementing multiple planting seasons, we can significantly reduce the LCUE and increase asset utilisation,” Jimoh explains. The study found that with these optimisations, the LCUE can be up to 7% lower than residential-only systems.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. Mini-grid developers and policymakers stand to gain from promoting bimodal cropping and encouraging optimal crop mixes. Flexible tariffs for irrigation loads could further enhance the viability of these systems. As Jimoh puts it, “This approach doesn’t just benefit farmers; it creates a more robust and economically sustainable model for rural electrification.”
The study’s findings could pave the way for future developments in the field. As solar technology continues to advance, integrating it with agriculture could become a standard practice, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both sectors. Moreover, the use of open-source modelling frameworks, as employed in this study, could democratise access to such optimisations, fostering innovation and competition in the market.
In the quest for universal energy access, Jimoh’s research offers a glimmer of hope. By bridging the gap between energy and agriculture, it presents a pathway to a more sustainable and prosperous future for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and energy poverty, this study serves as a reminder that sometimes, the solutions lie right under our noses—in the fields and farms that sustain us.