Mali • Access to “clean” energy thanks to decentralised solar mini-grids
To address the problem of access to electricity, the Malian government has put in place a rural electrification strategy based on decentralised mini-grids, with the support of mechanisms such as the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility. The strategy has enabled the country to grow from 16 MW of solar capacity in 2013 to 100 MW in 2022.
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In Africa, close to 600 million people have no access to electricity. In Mali, 83% of the population is faced with this problem, while the energy potential of the country is enormous. To remedy this, the Malian government has implemented a rural electrification strategy based on decentralised mini-grids. Thanks to this strategy, which was broken down into multiple projects such as those funded by the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, the solar energy production capacity in Mali increased from 16 MW in 2013 to 100 MW in 2022. This project to install solar mini-grids is expected to benefit 123,000 people. These mini-grids also allowed access to drinking water, while also being levers for local socio-economic development and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).