As we approach the end of 2024 it makes me proud to reflect on all the hard work we have been doing in the past year. Together with an increasing army of strategic partners we have been committed to working to fast-track access to solar powered light and electricity for people and communities who are being left behind. I am proud of the multiple awards that have come our way in recognition of these efforts, and I am thankful to all the forward-looking, incredible, people and organisations who support our work.
I am conflicted, however. Because the truth is that, as we approach the end of yet another year (and I’ve been obsessing about universal energy access for 24 years now) – while I see a solar sector with so much potential, I also see its many challenges. And while I see the genuine potential to fast-track energy access for the poorest – we (I mean all of us), are up against the clock.
The time has come to really press down on the accelerator now if we are actually going to get this done. I can’t bear the thought of writing similar words in 5 years’ time. Yes – it’s 5 years before we hit 2030. That’s pretty much tomorrow.
I am also worried. For too long, we have collectively spoken about the future dangers of the climate crisis. Those dangers are already here. The poorest, most vulnerable, are already facing them. In recent months, dangerous flooding has displaced thousands of people across Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. Zambia – where I live, meanwhile, declared a state of emergency earlier this year due to the record-breaking drought, resulting in significant electricity rationing across the country and, as I write these words in Lusaka, temperatures are well above normal and, as in many of nearby countries there are fears for crops and famine is increasing.
Kennedy Buleya’s house brightly lit under the stars. Kondwani Jere/SolarAid.
Time for Action
So it really is time for action. The good news is that I look back on 2024 as a year which reflects that. For example, in Malawi we focused on scaling our innovative energy-as-a-service (EaaS) project to enable every home within the Traditional Authority of Kasakula, one of the poorest communities in the country, to access solar powered lighting and electricity. We’re currently halfway there as we are aiming for 100% access in 2025. We’re excited to be engaging with the government, developing plans to scale this model across a whole district. Alongside this, we have also established solar irrigation trials together with farmers as we seek to boost agricultural yields, building resilience to the climate crisis within vulnerable communities.
By learning what it takes, and demonstrating that it truly is possible to achieve universal electricity access at scale, we are taking the first essential step towards scaling across multiple geographies.
That is why we are really proud to, together with our partners MOON and Easy Solar, have launched REAL (Rural Energy Access Lab), a lab 100% focused on scaling EaaS to serve the poorest and hardest to reach communities. The coming year will see thousands more households across Malawi, Senegal and Sierra Leone gaining access. In the coming years, we are aiming for millions. We are so grateful to the The World Bank, Malawi Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund, The DOEN Foundation and Good Energies Foundation, along with our corporate partner EDF, for backing this work, and for the vision of the Turner Kirk Trust from the very outset. What we now need is many more to join us at REAL, this is a collective effort and it needs collective support, so please get in touch to learn more.
We’re also proud to, together with UNSW, have published the ‘State of Repair Report’, which highlights the challenges and opportunities to increase access to repair for customers living in rural areas. We’re excited to be progressing this work in the new year with plans for a Repair Lab and the collective action needed to extend the lifespan of millions of solar products and reduce electronic waste. Again, please get in touch to learn more.
SunnyMoney Agent, Father Vincent Ngwira repairing a solar lights in the dark at SunnyMoney in Lusaka, Zambia
The past 12 months has also seen Solar United Madagascar step up its efforts, with over 50 solar Light Libraries installed, serving thousands of rural customers across central-southern and southern regions, as well as solar-powered digital learning pilots and solar cooking trials within schools. We’re excited to progress this partnership in the year ahead as we continue to scale and fast track access within deep rural areas.
Recognitions
We are grateful to have received several recognitions for the hard work being put in, which will help us raise the profile of the wider mission we are all working towards. We received Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi (REIAMA)’s Mphamvu Awards in Malawi for our Light a Village EaaS; 60 Decibels Top Impact Award for our work distributing solar lanterns in Zambia. And we were also thrilled to take the top prize in the International Aid & Development category at this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.
Thank you
I’ll sign off with a huge thank you to all our supporters. I know that many of you share my concerns about climate change, and your support is your response to do something positive. We can’t do what we do without you.
We were delighted with the energy that staff from The Wellcome Trust who created innovative ways to raise funds matched by the organisation, from courageous skydives to tracking their own energy output. Many organisations also took on our challenge to go a ‘Night without Light’ and I enjoyed seeing the group photo of staff at St Luke’s Primary School, of the night walk by solar light atop Firle Beacon raising just over £2,000. What a great idea.
Our incredible supporters from St. Luke’s Primary School on their night walk atop Firle Beacon.
Year in, year out, our supporters do incredible things to raise awareness and funds as we collectively strive to create a better world. For example, the cycle ride from Stratford to Southend by Arno Fletcher, young son of a supporter.
I am always, without fail, humbled by all our supporters, young, old and especially, especially, those who are no longer with us.
To anyone reading this thinking ‘What can I do?’ ‘What can my organisation do?’ – please get in touch today. 2025 is just days away, let’s make it the year we step up to ensure those most vulnerable to climate change benefit from the magic of solar energy.
John Keane, SolarAid CEO