ASER300 Rural Electrification Project

Since 2020, Off-Grid Europe (OGE) has been a vital partner in the ASER300 rural electrification project, which initially targeted the electrification of at least 300 villages in Senegal. To date, this successful initiative has expanded to include the electrification of 372 villages.

Together with the Agence Sénégalaise d‘Électrification Rurale (ASER) and GAUFF Engineering, OGE's specific contribution to the project was serving as an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) partner for a significant portion of the Mini-Grid systems.

The containerized systems were designed, integrated and continuously improved by OGE’s R&D and engineering team in our headquarters in Germany. In total, we proudly provided 203 of the 372 Mini-Grid systems under the ASER300 project. These systems were delivered as a containerized solution, simplifying logistics and deployment. Each solution includes a PV system of 15 up to 90 kWp with robust LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery storage. Other private and public partners were also involved, supplying the remaining systems.

Installation and commissioning of the systems was carried out by OGE's local subsidiary, Off-Grid Africa, highlighting a strong commitment to local presence. During implementation, 3 local teams were carrying out installation works in parallel, all over the country.

Project Scope and Impact

The Senegalese state aims to achieve comprehensive electricity access for all citizens by 2025, with the majority of power generated from renewable energies. For rural areas, this electrification is a crucial step toward sustainable economic and social development.

The project additionally includes:

• Distribution Networks: Approximately 840 km of lines, 25,000 masts, and 3,600 LED lanterns for street lighting

• Household Connections: 24,000 house connections, each featuring five sockets and five LED lamps

• Productive Use Equipment: Further equipment for commercial and agricultural use, such as refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mill

Implementation and Financing

To manage this complex, ambitious schedule, a number of German and Senegalese stakeholders were brought together under the leadership of GAUFF Engineering. Preliminary studies were conducted to determine exact energy requirements, which informed the implementation and logistics plans. The actual installation work was taking place simultaneously in multiple villages. A key component of the project is a training program to equip local workers with the skills necessary for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the systems, fostering local capacity.

This important project, with a volume of 120 million euros, was financed by KfW IPEX-Bank, with the German government providing a credit cover from Euler Hermes. A total of 195,000 people will directly benefit from the clean electricity generated through this initiative.