Renewable hydroelectric and solar energy for sustainable essential services (Pot@maï 2)

Project

formation continue hydrolienne by Maguelonne Chevallier — © Limaya Studio

Project start date: May 14, 2025

Status
In progress
Estimated date of project termination: December 31, 2030
Project financing date: January 14, 2025
Financing duration: 5 years
Type of program: FFEM
Global financing amount: € 3705192
FFEM financing amount: € 1592509
Project lead member institution(s): Ministry of the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fisheries
Country and region: Africa
Type of financing: Grant
Partners: EU, AFD-PEEB, AURA Region, Hauts de France Region, Fondation Rothschild, Air France Foundation
Beneficiaries: Association Pot@maï
Type of beneficiary: NGO, Foundation

In the remote rural areas of Congo, Pot@maï is deploying an innovative solution combining tidal and solar energy to power essential services. These autonomous units, designed with local communities, meet the needs of water, cold, food processing or telecoms.
The project contributes to women’s empowerment, local economic development and low-carbon transition.

Context

The project takes place in a rural area of the Republic of the Congo, a country where 45% of the population lives under the poverty line. The rates of access to electricity and drinking water are particularly low, respectively 15% and 46%, despite a high potential in renewable energies. Agricultural production is not enough to feed a growing population, with 70% of food consumption imported.

Description

The project revolves around five key axes:

Deploy Essential Service Units (USE) powered by 100% renewable energy (water-based + solar).
Provide essential services: drinking water, cooling, lighting, food processing, telecoms.
Structure an economic and organizational model for large-scale deployment.
Strengthen a local ecosystem for the construction, management and maintenance of USE.

Evaluate and disseminate impacts to promote the replication of the solution

Outcomes

Optimize project governance with a clear distribution of roles and digital energy management tools.
Design, manufacture and deploy 3 new Essential Service Units (USE) in Congo starting from 2025.
Actively involve women in identifying needs and managing essential services.
Train local populations through an annual professional training program in the USE.
Measure and value the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project to promote its dissemination.

Innovative and exemplary features

The project stands out for its profoundly innovative character, relying on renewable energies little exploited in Congo, such as energy from river currents "over water" and solar energy. Unlike traditional models, Essential Service Units (USE) do not sell electricity, but generate their income through the sale of locally processed products, directly meeting the needs of communities. Each USE ensures continuous access to essential services, creates sustainable jobs in rural areas, and preserves the environment thanks to a solution without heavy infrastructure. This integrated model contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.