Kenya’s mini-grid/solar home alternative

The challenge of bringing grid power to poorer and isolated communities is raising serious questions about the efficacy of the massive energy access programmes that have been under way since 2014. These have, at least on paper, connected around 70% of the population to the grid, but mini-grid and solar home system providers argue that many of these customers could be better served using off-grid technologies. They argue that, given a level playing field, mini-grids and solar home systems could provide cheaper power and are better geared to the needs of poorer households.