- USTDA approves finance for the project to digitise mini-grids in Benin.
- The project is expected to cost EUR 842,700.
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has endorsed grant funding for technical assistance to Beninese mini-grid utility Sherlock Grids SAS, supporting its effort to bring clean energy to rural communities in the West African nation.
According to SparkMeter, a Washington based net-metering technology and grid solutions provider chosen to work alongside Sherlock Grids, the finance stands at USD 1 million (EUR 842,700).
USTDA chose SparkMeter as the key contractor to deploy a comprehensive digital analytics platform to improve electricity grid operations for 100,000 people, the firm said.
The two companies will analyse the viability of bringing solar-powered mini-grids online and demonstrate the benefits of implementing a digitalised system to integrate and remotely manage multiple mini-grids fully, USTDA added in a separate statement.
The objective is to improve the operations of a dozen mini-grids and ultimately help displace charcoal stoves, kerosene lamps, and diesel generators.
The SparkMeter-Sherlock Grids project is expected to be finalised in June 2022, SparkMeter said.