Nearly 85 percent of Somalis do not have access to electricity. Those who do rely on old diesel generators that are expensive and polluting. The limited power supplies are managed by private electricity service providers (ESPs) which charge high prices to cover operational and fixed costs, keeping electricity out of reach for most Somalis. The lack of reliable and affordable electricity stifles business, education, and adequate medical care.

With nearly 255 days of sunshine a year, Somalia has a solution to its power crisis; an ideal environment for clean and affordable solar energy. USAID’s Power Africa East Africa Energy Program (EAEP) supported investments in clean and renewable solar energy to expand affordable and reliable electricity services and support economic growth, security, and improved outcomes in health and education in Somalia.  USAID - Power Africa support included the provision of  technical assistance to private ESPs, who are looking to optimize resources and adopt modern energy technologies, to diversify electricity generation from diesel to renewable energy that will lower costs and transition to cleaner generation.  
 

Mogadishu-based Blue Sky Technologies is one Somali ESP benefitting from USAID’s technical and advisory support, including power generation planning, and renewable energy grid integration to improve the energy grid and system optimization. USAID -Power Africa’s support enabled Blue Sky Technologies to update their energy infrastructure and invest in a 6 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar power plant at the Dayniile Power Station. This additional solar power is greening Somalia’s energy production and makes up a significant portion of the country’s existing 123 MW capacity. The 6 MW solar system and innovative new efficiency measures (like daytime demand utilization when solar energy is abundant) have reduced the average tariff by nearly 11% and diesel fuel consumption by 27%.

Many companies across Somalia, like Blue Sky Technologies, are benefiting from USAID’s support. Power Africa trains engineers on DigSilent software, a grid and generation planning program that allows energy companies to forecast renewable energy usage and better balance it with available supply. This means that energy companies can confidently build their networks and provide more renewable energy to their customers - resulting in 25% more new connections each year since the project started. 

The most important beneficiary of USAID’s investment are the people of Somalia. The clean and affordable electricity made possible by the USAID - Power Africa project allows Somalis to work longer hours, in safer conditions, helping thousands of small and medium businesses grow.