PROJECT OVERVIEW

         Elephant Energy funds and promotes research that addresses renewable energy issues in Southern Africa.  Communication technologies, education, agriculture, water provision and manufacturing all require abundant, reliable, and cost-effective energy access.  Most of the existing power plants and transmission equipment in Southern Africa were constructed in the 1950s & 1960s.  In the absence of proper maintenance, infrastructure deteriorated over the last several decades, forcing many utilities to operate at small fractions of their installed capacity. 

         While a number of projects are currently underway to expand and connect the existing power grid networks, too many problems exist to make this a realistic option for the vast majority of people in Africa, especially those who live in rural locations.  In addition, the looming energy crisis, climate change, food shortages, oil-funded conflicts and many more global problems resulted from consuming fossil fuels at an unsustainable rate.  By investing in the long term energy solutions that alternative energy sources afford, most African nations would benefit significantly in the longer term by avoiding the political, economic, health and environmental problems associated with fossil fuel use.

Distributed generation using renewable energy systems is the only practical solution to meet rural electrification needs.  Southern Africa has access to tremendous renewable energy resources.  Many areas in the region receive over 300 days of sunshine a year, an ideal environment for solar generation.  The region is also rimmed in coastline, with breezes for wind power and tides for wave generation.  Other opportunities for sustainable electricity generation include geothermal, biomass and small-scale hydro power.  However, many economic, political, cultural and legal constraints stand in the way of widespread renewable energy development in the region.  Elephant Energy provides information to governments, businesses and NGOs to help break down these barriers and spur renewable energy development in Southern Africa.