The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) entered into a partnership to promote and provide market intelligence on productive use of energy, as well as advance renewable and reliable electricity for essential services in Benin, Cameroon and Madagascar.

Targeting these countries, the partners carry out the following activities:

1. a market study on decentralised renewable energy (DRE) equipments for productive use,
2. a technical guide for rural healthcare facility electrification, and
3. an awareness campaign on DRE deployment for productive use in rural communities.

Currently, the rate of access to electricity in rural areas is 6.6% in Benin, 24% in Cameroon and about 5% in Madagascar. However, all three countries have significant local renewable energy sources. Benin has a high rate of sunshine all year round and can favour the production of electricity via solar energy. Cameroon has a huge potential for hydroelectricity thanks to its five watersheds, to which a significant potential in biomass and solar can be added as well. Madagascar also has a strong potential for solar, biomass and hydropower.

The three activities that ARE carry out with the support of ADEME are in line with the approach of promoting reliable, sustainable, modern and affordable renewable energies while taking into account the specificities of each country.

Past activities:

• CORE & ARE conclude awareness training for women and agricultural end-users of DRE systems in Madagascar
• L’ARE, l’ADEME et l’initiative CORE ont renforcé les avantages des utilisations productives des énergies renouvelables dans les zones rurales du Cameroun
• L’ARE, l’ADEME et l’initiative CORE encouragent l’utilisation productive des énergies renouvelables au Bénin