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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 five FRES companies in Africa. We recently started up FRES companies in Uganda and Guinea Bissau in late 2011 and early 2012 respectivtely. If all goes well we plan to start a new FRES company in Benin or Cameroon in the coming years. 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 clients 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
more information |
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.
- Economic Growth: For economic development access to electricity is a necessity.
- Local 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.
- Structural delivery: In order to provide clients with a secure service delivery (minimum of 20 years), FRES choose to work in a commercial manner. FRES-Netherlands provides FRES companies with the necessary expertise and ensures sufficient investment capital is available.
- CO2-emissions: FRES companies minimise their CO2 emissions by preferring to generate electricity via solar energy.
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Board and Supervisory Board
Click here for the composition of management and boards.
More information
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