| Date post: | 16-Jul-2015 |
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Technology |
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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
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
Sunlabob: Laos-Based,
Internationally-Focused
