Ben Garside presented on lessons learned from small-scale solar projects that could benefit power access in Nigeria. Small distributed energy production is vital but lacks attention. Case studies on "green mini-grids" in Nepal, Kenya and Peru showed that projects should consider technical, economic, social and environmental factors; generate local responsibility; and tailor systems to local needs. A Nigerian community solar project called SUNGAS faced challenges with maintenance culture, payment and perceptions but used tailored models and advocacy. Useful publications on the topics were also referenced.

1. Roundtable on Sustainable Power to the People
Port Harcourt, Nigeria 5th March 2014
Lessons from the small solar sector:
potential synergies for Nigeria
Ben Garside
Researcher, Sustainable Markets Group
International Institute for Environment & Development

2. Introduction
Ben Garside
March 2014
• Small-scale energy production is vital and
lacks political attention
• 55% of new electricity needs to be
‘decentralised’ to meet goals on access for all
• There is much to learn from experiences of
small-scale. Two key challenges:
1) How to achieve the big challenge of lots of small?
2) How to make sure solutions work and give real
benefits?
Lessons from the small solar sector
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3. Case study 1: ‘Green mini-grids’
– lessons from Nepal, Kenya
and Peru
•
•
•
Consider technical, economic, social,
environmental and institutional dimensions;
aim to improve overall development
prospects
Generate a sense of local responsibility for
electricity system and maintenance; separate
project management from ownership, with
checks and balances
Tailor system to local needs, desires and
cultural specificities, esp. choice of
management model
Lessons from the small solar sector
Ben Garside
March 2014
Reference: Yadoo (2012)
3

4. Case 1 (cont.)
Ben Garside
March 2014
• Future-proof systems by including demand
growth margins in the original project
design; risk analysis
• Try to influence the enabling environment
(e.g. raise awareness of technologies, train
technicians, improve access to
finance, engage in policy dialogue)
• Engage private sector in partnerships
, hybrid models
Lessons from the small solar sector
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5. Case study 2: The SUNGAS
project: community projects in
Nigeria
•
•
•
Ben Garside
March 2014
Challenges of community-based projects:
•
•
•
Culture of maintenance lacking
Willingness to pay & expectations
Negative perceptions of solar products
Tailored small-scale models
Advocacy and awareness raising
flickr/Wayan Vota
Lessons from the small solar sector
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6. Useful Publications
Ben Garside
March 2014
• Bellanca R. & Garside B. (2013) An approach to designing energy delivery models
that work for people living in poverty, CAFOD & IIED
http://pubs.iied.org/16551IIED.html
• Wilson, E., Godfrey Wood, R. and Garside, B. (2012) Sustainable energy for all?
Linking poor communities to modern energy services, IIED
http://pubs.iied.org/16038IIED.html
• Yadoo, A. (2012) Delivery Models for Decentralised Rural Electrification: Case
studies in Nepal, Peru and Kenya, IIED http://pubs.iied.org/16032IIED.html
• Wilson, E. and Garside B (2010) Powering change in low-income energy
markets, IIED Opinion Paper http://pubs.iied.org/17093IIED.html
• Newsom C (2012) Can renewable energy turn Nigeria's lights on?
http://pubs.iied.org/G03519.html
• Eleri E et al (2012) Low-carbon energy development in Nigeria. Challenges and
opportunities http://pubs.iied.org/G03518.html
• Also see the SUNGAS project website: http://www.sungas-nigeria.org
Lessons from the small solar sector
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7. Thank you for your attention!
Ben Garside
March 2014
Contact: ben.garside@iied.org
www.iied.org/energy
Lessons from the small solar sector
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Credit: G.M.B. Akash/PANOS