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 FRES (Foundation Rural Energy Services) is a foundation that fosters rural electrification in developing countries by setting up small-scale commercial electricity companies in areas without a connection to the national electricity grid. We offer households and small companies access to electricity derived from solar energy. The availability of electricity contributes to poverty reduction and enhances the living conditions of the rural inhabitants.
Currently we have four FRES companies in Africa. We started a FRES company in Uganda last year and we will start up a new FRES company in Guinea-Bissau and/or Benin later this year. FRES Netherlands provides the expertise and investments needed for the FRES businesses to start up and grow.
Our ambition is, with the help of investors and sponsors, to set up several companies by the year 2020 that will give access to electricity to a total of 100,000 households. To reach this target FRES is looking for sponsors and donors.
How does FRES work?
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Clients of the local FRES companies pay a monthly fee according to the fee-for-service principal. read more
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Een Solar Home System (SHS) converts solar energy to electricity. A standard SHS comprises a solar panel, a controller and a battery. read more |
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A mini-grid is preferably fed by a solar power plant. The generated electricity can be supplied - directly or indirectly via batteries - to cliens who are connected to the local electricity network. read more |
Benefits of rural electrification
- it is possible to carry out economic and other activities for longer hours
- better lighting in hospitals and schools
- children van read at night or do their homework
- better access to means of communication, like radio, television and cellphones
- reduction of health problems caused by smoke from oil lampsimproved safety through a reduced fire risk (from candles falling over)
- greater safety on the street thanks to public lighting
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Setting up a FRES company
- 1.Preselection of countries
- 2.Desk research
- 3.Market research
- 4.Development of business plan
- 5.Decision-making and implementation
- 6.Monitoring and adjustment
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Sustainable enterprise
Sustainability is a key issue in setting up electricity companies. Our business model is based on our experiences and is geared to the core values of sustainable enterprise; People, Planet and Profit.
- Sustainable alternative: The rural population of Africa usually uses batteries, candles, kerosene and car batteries as light or electricity source. These are expensive and unsustainable solutions, which are harmful to health and the environment. FRES companies offer a safe, healthy and sustainable alternative for the same or lower cost.
- (Economical) Growth: For (economical) development access to electricity is a necessity.
- Locale staff: In the initial phase in which an expatriate director starts up the FRES company, we recruit local staff members. The staff consists of managers, technicians and sales and administrative staff members. They receive specific training if necessary.
- Structurele levering: Om klanten leveringszekerheid te kunnen bieden (minimaal twintig jaar), kiest FRES voor een bedrijfsmatige manier van werken. FRES-Nederland levert de FRES-bedrijven expertise en zorgt dat er voldoende investeringskapitaal beschikbaar is.
- CO2-uitstoot: De FRES-bedrijven stoten weinig CO2 uit doordat bij voorkeur elektriciteit wordt opgewekt met zonne-energie.
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Board and Supervisory Board
Click here for the composition of management and boards.
More information
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