Free talk shows how sustainable electricity is bringing change to rural African communities
A free public talk exploring how new sustainable electricity supply systems are helping African communities is taking place at the University of Southampton on Thursday 30 May.
The talk ‘A New Approach to Energy for Development’ by Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Head of Energy and Climate Change Division at the University of Southampton, starts at 5.30pm.
It will address the concept of energy for development and will report on the status of an international project, led by the University of Southampton, which aims to establish and implement off-grid electricity generation that promotes development in rural communities in East Africa.
So far, the “Replication of Rural Decentralised off-grid Electricity Generation through Technology and Business Innovation” project has implemented a mini-grid technology within Kitonyoni, a rural village in Kenya, about 90 miles from Nairobi. The project is community based, providing direct electricity supply to around 40 businesses as well charging for lighting for around 3,000 inhabitants.
Professor Bahaj says: “To date it is estimated that around 1.5 billion people around the world have no access to reliable electricity. The provision of electricity is vitally important for development, alleviation of poverty and for fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In many developing countries, the upfront cost of connecting rural villages to the nearest electrical distribution network is, and will remain, prohibitively expensive. A reliable electrical supply is vital for development in key areas including health, education and small businesses and wellbeing.”
The talk is part of the lecture series on Energy and Climate Change, which aims to promote debate on energy and climate change and inform about current state-of-the-art research and development.
The lecture is free and takes place in room 1027 in Building 67 on the University’s Highfield Campus. Doors open at 5.30pm, when refreshments will be served, and the lecture starts at 6pm with an introduction by Introduction by Professor Brian Collins CB, former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
To register your place, please call 023 8059 8946 or email eccd@soton.ac.uk