Sunlabob

Renewable Energy Laos-Based

Internationally-Focused

Energy for Off-grid Villages

in SE-Asia

Kuching -25-29 January, 2015

Benoit Dubeau

Project manager

Sunlabob Renewable Energy

Benoit.dubeau@sunlabob.com

Founded in Laos in 2000

Lao PDR’s first commercial renewable energy

company

Small team, limited expertise, self funded

Focus on off-grid, rural communities

Basic solar home systems

Direct sales model

Early success, but realized limitations and

issues of financial sustainability

Early Stages: Social Enterprise

Saw need for new approaches to operation of rural-focused

business model -- how can renewable energy and clean water be

provided on a sustainable, long-term basis?

Integration of community-based operational models Local training and capacity-building

Establishing rural franchise agents and local energy enterprises

Establishment of “fee for service” business model Rural customers pay for electricity, not the infrastructure

Based on utility model: sales revenue pays for O&M

Expanded products/services using “fee for service”

Solar lanterns charging stations

Solar and hydro village mini-grids

Water purification

Pioneering Business Models

Community-based approach creating micro-

entrepreneurs Village Energy Technicians (VET) and Committees (VEC)

Focus on long-term, self-sustaining development Ownership and management transferred to off-grid communities

Pioneering Business Models

Community-Based

Operational Models

World Economic Forum – Schwab Foundation for Social

Entrepreneurship

Ashden Award – 1st Prize

World Bank Development Marketplace & Lighting Africa

Global recognition:

Pilot projects and consulting in Uganda, Afghanistan, Bhutan,

East Timor, etc.

…But critical question: can a business scale up and be sustainable

selling products and services to the poorest populations in the

world?

Awards & Recognition

Laos – a long-term market for off-grid renewable energy?

Population relatively small – 6 million

Rapid expansion of central grid

After building experience in Laos, Sunlabob shifted to also

serving international markets via competitive tenders.

International Expansion

Sunlabob Today Founded in Laos in 2000, expert in off-grid renewable energy

Internationally-focused: throughout 24+ countries in ASEAN,

Pacific islands, Africa, India

Deep experience in world’s most challenging rural environments

Approach to longevity: high-quality technology paired with local

training and capacity building

Customers: Development agencies, gov’ts, NGOs, private sector

Global Reach: Key Highlights

Laos: Estimated 270,000 people, 10,000 systems, 500 villages

Cambodia: 60,000 people, 12,000 solar home systems

Micronesia: 3,500 solar lanterns/charging stations

Marshall Islands:

7,500 people

1,500 solar home systems

Uganda:

10,000 students

64 schools

Sierra Leone:

13 solar plants

Project Spotlight:

Solar Mini-Grid Situation

Ban Houaypha, rural village in Luang Prabang Province

42 km from nearest grid connection

83 households, 498 people

$41.50 – average household monthly income ($1.38/day)

Solution: Solar PV village grid

2kWh – 20kWh provision

$1.25 – $3.75 monthly options

Local Training and O&M

VETs, VEC, maintenance fund

Project Spotlight

Laos Client: MMG Mining

Clean water for 3,400+ people; 12 villages

Community surveys, feasibility studies, design, installation

Solar water pumping and distribution

Project Spotlight

Kiribati Islands Client: EU Development Fund; Republic of Kiribati

Supply, installation and local training of on- and off-grid solar

2,000+ solar home systems, electrification of 100+ small

businesses, community centers and schools

Project Spotlight

Sierra Leone Client: United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Design, installation and local capacity building

13 solar PV arrays at industrial training centers and schools

Thank

You

Benoit Dubeau

Project manager

Benoit.Dubeau@sunlabob.com

Sunlabob: Laos-Based,

Internationally-Focused