Econet Wireless has entered a social impact joint venture with Vestas, a Danish wind energy group – to build small wind power generators across Africa in a programme dubbed “Wind For Prosperity”.
The Vestas-led joint venture is supported by a consortium of investors including Econet Wireless.
The “Wind For Prosperity” programme which was launched in Washington this week aims to provide power to millions of people living in rural areas and small towns beyond the reach of the grid in several African countries.
The project will harness the power of wind energy to generate enough electricity to meet the needs of small communities of up to 20,000 people. It intends to be able to provide sufficient electricity for communities lighting requirements, the pumping of water as well as small cottage industries.
“Wind-for-Prosperity is exactly the kind of ambitious and bold initiative that needs pursuing if we are to combat energy poverty,” Econet Wireless founder, Strive Masiyiwa said.
“This technology is remarkable and will enable us to meet the electricity needs of millions of people across Africa, in a cost-effective and highly flexible way.”
“I am a firm believer that we need to think differently and be more creative with technology in order to deliver sustainable sources of power to the millions of people across the world, living beyond the reach of the grid. I am particularly interested in the potential of affordable electricity to boost agricultural productivity and create jobs,” Masiyiwa who is also a member of the UN Secretary General’s high level advisory board for sustainable energy, added.
The first round of financing for its first project, which will roll out 13 wind generators that will supply power to more than 250,000 people in Kenya, has already been completed.
Econet will partner with other investors through its energy division, which works on renewable energy solutions for Africa.
“Econet is already an active player in providing power solutions, using solar power, and sees the use of wind as a natural and complimentary extension to its current work,” Masiyiwa said.
