Inclusive Energy Transition⚡☀️
Women taking charge at making energy accessible in rural settings
Solar energy is a sustainable and renewable resource, harnessing the boundless power of the sun to generate electricity. Its immense potential goes beyond environmental benefits, extending into social and economic spheres, especially for underserved communities. Lack of access to electricity is a stark reality faced by millions around the globe, limiting opportunities, hindering development, and perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
Recently we worked on an inspiring film in Zimbabwe about PowerLive, alongside the wonderful BBC Storyworks Producer, Justyna Wrucha. PowerLive is a female-led last mile distribution company that sells off-grid solar products, including solar home systems (SHS), water pumps and refrigerators, to homes, schools and small-scale farmers.
The film illustrates the importance of electrification in rural and remote areas and involving women in the energy transition. Africa is the world's least electrified continent. Nearly 600 million people remain without access to electricity in Africa. One of the factors preventing countries from expanding access is cost.
PowerLive Zimbabwe provide affordable and reliable solar energy solutions to women, their families, and communities in Zimbabwe. This amazing company trains women in rural areas to become entrepreneurs, by selling solar products in their local communities. PowerLive Zimbabwe's business model drives social and economic empowerment for women in rural areas, working toward an inclusive energy transition.
Their unwavering commitment to supplying solar energy to impoverished communities has already begun illuminating lives, offering a glimmer of hope and transforming these areas into beacons of progress. The importance of solar energy in such communities cannot be overstated. It is not merely a source of light or power, but a catalyst for change.
In this film we celebrate the immense power of solar energy and champion the cause of empowering impoverished communities and women. By joining hands, we can pave the way towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The journey does not end here, there are countless communities around the world waiting for their chance to break free from the constraints of energy poverty. It is necessary for us to continue supporting initiatives that expand access to solar energy, to champion policies that promote renewable energy adoption, and to advocate for the rights of those living without electricity.
Explore the innovations sparking inspiration and energising our homes and lives in the new series #HumanisingEnergy. The pressure is building but so is the energy – meet the people on a quest to find alternative sources for our growing world. You can explore the site here: https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/specials/humanising-energy/
News from ReWild Africa:
Happy birthday to Modise for this coming Sunday! Modise has been with ReWild for a few months now - as our marketing (but also editing) intern. He has been a great asset to the team, and is INCREDIBLY hard working. Shout out to Modise! He’s also been writing all of our newsletters lately, including most of this one.
Tae, Ben and Ale have been seriously tag teaming this week with complex pre-production for an exciting project with Power Shift Africa soon, within a few different countries in Africa. More on this later…
Sam and Jay are currently in the UK soaking up that European sun, and we’re sure there’s a lot of cricket and catch in between work.
Meg has just wrapped the SEED production, with the fourth and final leg being in Durban this week, working alongside talented Jules Culverhouse.