What Happened
- A 1.3 MW off-grid solar minigrid was inaugurated in 2020 in Goma, powered by Congolese-American company Nuru and backed by Energy Peace Partners and global investors.
- The project includes streetlights, electricity for homes, water systems, phone charging stations, grain mills, small shops, and even a local movie theater.
What Is Good About It
- Safer streets: Street lighting has boosted public safety and community morale—celebrations erupted during the launch.
- Cleaner & cheaper energy: Diesel generators are being phased out, saving costs—from ~US $15/day to US $10/day—and reducing pollution.
- Resilience under fire: The grid remained operational during the recent rebel takeover, becoming the only functioning power source for water, connectivity, and essential services.
Why It Leads to Positivity
- Economic uplift: Enables artisans, food vendors, and small businesses to operate longer hours—contributing to local entrepreneurship and growth.
- Peace-building through infrastructure: The community protected the solar farm during conflict, underscoring the value placed on the project.
- Blueprint for broader change: Plans are underway to expand to a 3.7 MW grid and scale access to 10 million Congolese by 2030, showing strong ambition and impact
