TRANSFORMING THE ENERGY SECTOR IN SENEGAL

Transformative initiatives support best practices, the use of international standards, and rural electrification in Senegal

An effort that bolsters electricity access for the 60% of rural Senegalese communities that currently live without power, the Standards Alliance, in coordination with private sector companies Outback Power, Enersys, and Remote Energy, have developed and implemented an initiative to train solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians in accordance with relevant international standards. The trainings—designed to support equitable labor force participation—were developed in close coordination with Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST) and the Senegalese Rural Electrification Authority (ASER). The goal is to create a lasting training curriculum for local technicians and enhance local practices for solar mini-grid installation, maintenance, and efficiency.

In response to safety and health precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the training courses took place in a virtual format, allowing for increased training access. The built-in flexibility advances one of the core elements of the program: improving opportunities for female technicians. By incorporating gender-specific trainings, the project facilitates more equitable labor force participation and advances opportunities for women in the energy sector.

To support lasting and sustainable training in Senegal, Outback Power contributed a solar mini-grid system to DAUST for hands-on training once health conditions allow for it. In the meantime, students received small take-home solar systems for hands-on practice to be shared with their classmates virtually. This method has provided students with an opportunity to watch and learn from each other in a virtual setting.

By creating a lasting curriculum in coordination with local universities, the project has far-reaching effects on the quality and reliability of rural energy. Moreover, the donation from Outback Power of a solar array for hands-on practice provides new access and concrete training capacity for the next generation of energy technicians in Senegal.

THE STANDARDS ALLIANCE

The Standards Alliance is a public-private partnership between ANSI and USAID that supports the capacity of developing countries in the areas of legal and regulatory framework, standards development, conformity assessment, and private sector engagement.

This success story is made possible by the generous support of the american people through the united states agency for international development (USAID). the contents are the responsibility of ansi and do not necessarily reflect the views of usaid or the united states government.