Technology
Solar micro-grids
Location
Myanmar
Project type
KIVA loan: USD 50,000
crowd-funded through 1,227 lenders
On the 800+ remote islands of Tanintharyi state in Southern Myanmar, over 80,000 households still lack access to electricity from the national grid, relying on polluting diesel generators. Since the military coup in February 2021, fuel prices have escalated (up by ~20%) and the need for renewable energy is even stronger.
Micro-grid for 24/7 clean energy
Techno-Hill is a pioneering solar micro-grid developer in Myanmar, founded and lead by a woman entrepreneur, Ms. B. Since 2017, the company has implemented 13 micro-grid projects and provided reliable clean energy to over 6,600 households.
- SDG 1 – No poverty. The electricity provided is 3x cheaper than diesel-powered options, making Techno-Hill’s solution particularly vital during crisis.
- SDG 4 – Quality education / SDG 8 – Decent work. Cheaper electricity allows kids to study at night, fishermen to run freezers to better conserve fish, and households to cook without burning wood.
- SDG 11 – Sustainable cities/ communities / SDG 17 – Partnerships. In each village where it operates, Techno-Hill provides free-of-charge electricity for streetlights, schools, and hospitals that can then operate during nighttime.
Results
Nexus for Development, as a Kiva field partner raised USD 50,000 for Techno-Hill through the crowdfunding platform to complete 2 micro-grid projects in rural Myanmar. These 60kW systems will provide clean energy for 2,250 people while avoiding over 200 tons of CO2 per year. Coming amidst a political crisis, this relief funding is crucial for the company to keep delivering vital and cheaper energy.
Global Goals impacted
