Project description
Tackling energy poverty in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, millions lack access to reliable energy, exacerbating poverty and hindering development. Refugee communities, already vulnerable, face heightened challenges with inadequate access to electricity and clean cooking facilities. Traditional energy sources like wood and kerosene contribute to deforestation and air pollution. In this context, the EU-funded SUNNY project aims to address energy poverty through innovative renewable solutions. With 18 partners spanning African and European nations, SUNNY will deploy improved solar, hydrogen, and biogas solutions inRwanda and Uganda, benefiting 1 300 refugees and local residents. Embracing circular economy principles, the project fosters local economic growth while prioritising affordability and sustainability. From solar home systems to clean cooking solutions, it will transform lives and bolster food security.
Objective
Gathering 18 partners from 3 African, 5 European countries and 2 associated countries, SUNNY is a 48-months project that aims to provide highly replicGathering 17 partners from 3 African, 5 European countries and 2 associated countries, SUNNY is a 48-months project that aims to provide highly replicable solutions for green energy transition and energy access in Africa. To reach that goal, five Renewable Energy Technologies, reaching TRL 7-8 will be improved, adapted to the local context and demonstrated in two sites in Uganda and Rwanda, reaching around 1300 refugees and persons in the local host populations.
The technologies developed in SUNNY will be upgraded following circular economy and local value chain approaches in order to create economic activity locally as well as ensure relevance of the solutions and long-term sustainability. To ensure uptake, a strong focus will also be made on cost-effectiveness and adapted business models. Solar home systems will ensure the access to basic energy needs at a household level (PR1). Clean hydrogen (PR2) and biogas (PR3) cooking solutions will allow cooking to be decarbonised while improving health conditions. Refrigerated food storage (PR4) and smart solar irrigation, combined with biogas, will allow to improve food security in rural African areas and address the WEF nexus. Holistic models (PR5) and assessment methods (PR8) will allow to identify and validate the benefits and sustainability of the technologies, while social innovation through among others capacity building will support the long-term socio-economic impact (PR6) and ensure local uptake as well as a strong replicability potential. Indeed, SUNNY ambitions to widely impact humanitarian energy practices through a replication plan comprising the involvement of 15 replication cases with new interoperability of technologies, training activities towards African and EU-wide energy-access and development agencies and camps managers, and policy recommendations (PR8).
Fields of science
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringwater engineeringirrigation
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness models
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- social sciencessociologydemographyhuman migrations
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
10623 Berlin
Germany