ASSIN FOSO, Ghana--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hon. Dr Kwabena Donkor, Ghanaian Minister for Power, has formally launched the rollout of PayGo home solar power in the Assin district of Central region, Ghana.
Starting with households in the area of Assin Sienchem, the first phase of the program will deliver power to over 100,000 households with particular focus on Cocoa growing regions in Central, before being rolled out more widely.
“Solar power has the potential to make a tremendous difference to rural households that do not yet have access to the grid. The ability to bring power to households within months instead of the years it takes to build out the grid is testament to how new technology is changing the face of energy provision in Africa,” affirmed Dr Donkor, as he addressed the assembled community today.
The technology service, designed by UK-based Azuri Technologies, is provided in Ghana by Oasis Africa Resources Limited. It combines four LED lights with mobile phone charging, a torch and a rechargeable radio. The system is powered by a 10-watt solar panel, and efficient power consumption allows for all four lights to be used for eight hours a night. This technology will be followed by larger systems in 2016 that offer additional capabilities including TV and devices for use in small businesses.
“We are working closely with the Ghana Cocoa Board and the AMCOFA District Cocoa Farmers Association as we launch in the Assin district. This is a solar service which is grounded in the community and will serve the region as a long term solution to clean energy access,” said Mr. Isaac Kodom, CEO of Oasis Africa Resources Limited.
The solar technology is paid for in monthly installments and is provided as a power service by Oasis. Customers are supplied with a system, trained on how to use their energy efficiently and supported by telephone and home visits should any issues occur during their service period. Azuri PayGo incorporates market-leading features such as the HomeSmart power management system, which automatically optimizes the way power is used based on the customers’ needs. With the combination of leading technology and post-sale support services, users of Azuri PayGo have complete confidence in their investment.
The Azuri technology has been integrated with MTN Mobile Money to allow Oasis’ customers to make easy regular top-ups, either via their own Mobile Money accounts, or through a designated local agent.
“MTN Mobile Money is committed to supporting the Oasis PayGo power in Ghana. As a socially responsible organization, MTN’s interest is to continuously contribute to the development of our communities, and we are proud to support this unique electrification plan,” commented Eli Hini, Senior Manager of MTN Mobile Money, Ghana.
“Making a success of distributed power in rural regions requires innovation and commitment at all levels, and here in Ghana we see strong partnerships”, added Azuri Technologies CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth. “Azuri is delighted to support this development, and help bring modern lighting and information services to thousands of hitherto deprived households.”
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About Oasis
Oasis Africa Resources Ltd. (OAR) is a wholly-owned Ghanaian company incorporated under the Companies Code (Act 179, 1963) of Ghana and headquartered in Accra. The company operates as an energy company with the aim of delivering improvements to power solutions in Ghana. The company primary objective is to establish the necessary and long sought-after conditions to increase the share of energy sources in the overall energy systems in Ghana.
About Azuri Technologies Ltd
Azuri Technologies is a leading commercial provider of PayGo solar home systems to rural off-grid communities, with the widest reach of any provider in sub Saharan Africa. Azuri’s HQ is located in Cambridge, United Kingdom, with staff based throughout Africa.
News from Azuri can be found at www.azuri-technologies.com/info-hub
About MTN Ghana
MTN Ghana is the market leader in the increasingly competitive mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go Services. The company has committed itself to delivering reliable and innovative services that provide value for subscribers in Ghana’s telecommunications market. MTN has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network since its entry into Ghana in 2006. Total investments from 2006 till date are about US$2.4 billion. MTN has the widest 2G coverage across the length and breadth of Ghana and the widest 3G coverage in 170 districts across the country. The company has also built three modern Switch and Data centres to deliver stable, reliable, efficient and robust Telecom and Data Services to customers.
For further information, visit www.mtn.com.gh.
