Moon, SolarAid, and Easy Solar join forces and launch a collective to deploy Energy-as-a-Service for hard-to-reach communities.
Last month, Moon, SolarAid, and Easy Solar officially announced the launch of the Rural Energy Access Lab (REAL) at the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo co-hosted by GOGLA, Government of Kenya and the World Bank’s Lighting Global Program. REAL is a game-changing initiative aimed at deploying Energy-as-a-Service to unserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The launch has attracted strong interest from key stakeholders, including donors, institutions and entrepreneurs, confirming the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat energy poverty.
REAL is transforming energy access to ensure lasting, inclusive solutions for unserved communities
REAL’s mission is simple yet ambitious: to fast-track universal energy access by implementing scalable and sustainable Energy as a service (EaaS) model that ensure energy access to even the most remote and impoverished communities. Traditional models often fall short in reaching these populations and without immediate action to change the current trajectory, 660 million people will still be living without Tier 1 electricity access in 2030, 85% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. REAL aims to bridge this gap by introducing infrastructure models that allow communities to access solar home systems (SHS) with no upfront costs, paying only a service fee for usage.
REAL has already reached 24,000 households across Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, providing access to clean and affordable energy. REAL aims to scale this impact to 100,000 connections by 2026. In June 2024, REAL partners received a grant of $723k from the DOEN Foundation and Good Energies Foundation to scale Energy-as-a-Service pilots in Sierra Leone, Senegal and Malawi.
Photo: SolarAid
REAL is confident they can get the insights needed for EaaS to become a key part of the solar off-grid industry
During the forum in Nairobi, Moon, SolarAid, and Easy Solar shared their collective vision to leave no one behind and invited the energy sector to join the conversation. The approach emphasizes long-term sustainability, reducing e-waste, promoting durable products, and fostering local operators who will manage energy access projects over the long term. Looking ahead, REAL is committed to catalyzing $1.5 billion in subsidies to expand large-scale EaaS programs that will bring sustainable energy solutions to millions.
The coalition has set a bold objective to develop projects in 10 countries by 2030, aiming to reach 50 million people with clean, reliable energy access. Through these initiatives, REAL is transforming energy access to ensure lasting, inclusive solutions for underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“REAL is not just another initiative, it’s a collective movement aimed at creating lasting change,” said Thomas Samuel, CEO at Moon. “The interest we’ve generated at GOGSFE only highlights the growing recognition that we need innovative, inclusive solutions to meet SDG-7.”
John Keane, CEO at SolarAid says, “The Energy-as-a-Service model is a game-changer, designed to overcome the barriers which prevent the poorest from accessing solar powered energy and help make universal access a reality. We need a bold, innovative approach, and with REAL, we have a plan that goes beyond the status quo to reach those most in need.”
Alexandre Tourre, CEO at EasySolar says, “At Easy Solar, our experience as a PAYGo company has shown us that to drive real, lasting impact in the hardest-to-reach communities, we need to go beyond traditional models. Subsidized Energy-as-a-Service is the key to unlocking sustainable energy access for the poorest households, and with REAL, we’re committed to making that future a reality.”
About REAL:
The Rural Energy Access Lab (REAL) is a coalition bringing together private operators, NGOs, fund managers, donors and governments. We are working on fast-tracking universal energy access in rural Sub-Saharan Africa through innovative Energy-as-a-Service models. REAL’s approach emphasizes long term sustainability, incorporating strategies to ensure long term access and minimise e-waste, promoting products that are “built to last”, developing more efficient subsidy models and encouraging the participation of local companies.
Contact: info@realenergyaccesslab.org