Still processing all the conversations from the GOGLA forum and Access to Energy Institute workshop, but a few things are clear to me: 💡 The fundamentals of the off-grid solar market are as strong as ever and it is still the most cost effective way to reach most of the 10% of the world that lacks basic electricity, especially in the hardest to reach regions 📉 We need profitable distribution companies to ensure efficient delivery of service - this is possible, but additional support to correct some past mistakes is likely needed 🏦 Public and philanthropic funding are needed at a much larger scale and we need better ways to channel these funds through the financing infrastructure to the distribution companies and their customers I do think the sector is going to have consolidation in the coming year, and that’s probably well overdue. I disagree with the sentiment that low repayment rates are a sign that the PAYG experiment failed. We’ve known for years that there are some customers that pay quickly and don’t really use the PAYG flexibility and others that pay more slowly and take advantage of the flexibility that is offered. At Nithio we’ve always said we are not trying to show there is no risk in the market, we’re trying to better understand the risk so that we can support business models and capital allocation that fit that profile. Now is not the time for investors to back away, it’s time to scale in a sustainable way.
Collaboration among stakeholders is key to sustainably scaling the sector and reaching remote populations!
Thank you for the very clear summary of take-aways, Kate. Your work at Nithio is influencing some work we’re starting on health product supply chains. Thanks so much for presenting a clear and compelling approach. All the best.
Great Kate! Let’s fix those discos!
Was indeed a great pleasure connecting with you. Your humility is so refreshing for me. I look forward to keep learning from you.
Couldn’t agree more!
VIA Managing Director, Barefoot Power Co-Founder
2moI hope you also got to see the huge range of PUE offerings at the Productive Solar Solutions booth. Maybe if investors support assets that make money and feed people the risks of default will be lower than investing in solar TVs.