Southampton engineers support rural Ugandan communities through world’s first solar-powered mini-grids with hydrogen storage
Researchers from the University of Southampton are helping invigorate remote communities in Uganda through an innovative form of sustainable rural electrification.
Southampton engineers are part of an international consortium funded by the Belgian Government that will deploy a solar photovoltaic mini-grid project with hydrogen storage – the first of its kind in the world.
The newly-announced mini-grids, with two using hydrogen storage and the third using batteries, will augment previously deployed mini-grids designed by Southampton’s Energy and Climate Change Division and Sustainable Energy Research Group.
The mini-grids will be built and installed by Belgian company Tiger Power and be jointly delivered with the Rural Electrification Agency in Uganda.
Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Head of the Energy and Climate Change Division, said: “More than 90% of rural Uganda still lacks access to electricity. This is one of the biggest obstacles to alleviating poverty and creating economic development. The mini-grids in Kyenjojo will provide reliable power for all aspects of the communities’ needs, including health, education and business.”