by Lilian, Aman, Jose, Angie, Christoph and Laurin (TUM students)
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Students Investigating the Transformative Potential of Solar Mini-Grids through Community Engagement
In March, our research team began the journey into the heart of Kenya and its culturally rich Maasai land. The diverse team comprised of five Master’s students from different faculties, one Bachelor student, and our supervisor Dr. Alessia Argiolas from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), ventured into the South of Kenya for a 3.5-week research expedition. Organized by the TUM Seed Center that emerged from the Chair of Corporate Sustainability, our mission was to delve into the transformative potential of solar mini-grids in rural communities. Over the course of our journey, we traversed through Oloika, Shompole, and Olderkesi, witnessing firsthand the intersection of renewable energy, community development, and sustainable entrepreneurship. The goal was to get a holistic view from all – emerging, running and failed projects.
Week 1: Oloika
Our expedition began in Oloika, a community south of the city Magadi and close to the border of Tanzania from our base in the south of Nairobi. In this small town the vibrant energy of the community was as tangible as the sunlight that fuels its progress. Already our first week was a profound immersion into the world of solar mini-grids and their transformative impact on local life.
Upon our arrival, we were introduced to Joseph, the project leader, who played a pivotal role in coordinating our activities in the village. Our initial engagement was a comprehensive grid introduction session attended by all members of the cooperative responsible for the solar mini-grid. This session provided us with invaluable insights into the community's dedication to sustainable energy solutions and set the stage for deeper exploration. Right at the beginning, we were confronted with one of our biggest surprises, as we expected the mini-grid not to be up and running completely due to failed batteries. This turned out to be wrong, as the batteries and inverters were renewed three months prior to our arrival.
Following the good news and deep introduction, we conducted a series of interviews in the local shops benefiting from the solar-powered electricity. These interactions offered us a firsthand look at how reliable electricity is reshaping daily business operations. From barber shops pulsing with music to a bustling printing shop, the presence of solar power was not just a utility but a catalyst for economic vitality in this remote village. Our research methodology included focus groups divided by gender to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the community’s perceptions and experiences with the solar mini-grid. These discussions revealed a rich tapestry of views. Men and women shared their thoughts on how solar energy has affected their lives, highlighting the enhanced security and extended operational hours for their businesses as key benefits.
The highlight of our stay in Oloika was the cultural exchange with the Maasai people, where traditional dances and warm hospitality forged bonds transcending cultural boundaries. As we reflect on our time in Oloika, it becomes evident that solar mini-grids not only illuminate households but also illuminate pathways to socio-economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
Week 2: Shompole
Transitioning to Shompole that is located only 15km away from Oloika in our second week, we encountered a town pulsating with relentless energy despite the scorching temperatures that easily hit 40 degrees.
Our main objective in Shompole was to explore the progress and challenges of the Mini-Grid project, which aims to offer sustainable energy solutions to the community. We were interested in understanding how this initiative impacted people's lives in this region. Also in Shompole the batteries failed, but the community was not able to find a way to renew the broken components. We arrived on a Tuesday that represents market days in Shompole which are an incredible sight. The town would come alive with people from all over gathering to trade their goods and livestock.
Also the visit to the Shompole Medical Center left a lasting impression on us. We met with a dedicated clinical officer who shared insights into the challenges faced by healthcare providers in the area. It was inspiring to hear how he had advocated for the Mini-Grid project to bring much-needed power to the medical centre, enhancing its capabilities and reach. Throughout our time in Shompole, we engaged in focus groups and interviews with various shopkeepers, gaining valuable perspectives on the community's needs and aspirations. We learned about their view of community and what challenges that can bring towards running projects like mini grids.
As our journey ended on the third day, Joseph welcomed us into his home, where we experienced true Kenyan hospitality. We experienced lovely moments that bridged cultural gaps and nurtured mutual respect in our relationships. Our final adventure in Shompole took us to the natural hot springs, where we relaxed in warm water and observed flamingos flying overhead. It was a perfect way to end our journey, reminding us of the beauty and resilience that define life in the Shompole/Oloika area.
Week 3: Olderkesi
In the final leg of our research expedition, we arrived at the SEED Center Living Lab in Olderkesi, situated amidst the scenic backdrop of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This project has been developed as part of the collaboration between the TUM-JKUAT SEED Center, the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and the Narok County government. It has established a 12Kwp mini-grid that provides energy access to about 50 commercial establishments.
The research team spent 2 full days of immersion with the community, its leaders and some other key stakeholders, like the church referral and the secondary school deputy director. We were part of a general assembly, where we could witness the interactions between a wide representation of community members and the management of the mini-grid project, some of them attentive to the new ideas brought up from Nairobi, and others actively making suggestions tailored to the current community needs. Then, we dedicated ourselves to explore how the trade center looks and feels, and how its people has learned from the use of electricity after 4 years of initiated the project. We were keen to understand the change that happened within the people that has benefited from this initiative, as well to see how they make sense of powering their businesses with the clean energy of the mini-grid. We had reflected, that certainly a transformation has occurred, but having patience must be essential, because it may take time.
We finally got engaged in a conversation with a group of about 20 local students at the secondary school, where we noticed their huge motivation to become technical skilled by attending further studies, and where they expressed their familiarity and understanding with the electricity and the benefits they can get from its diverse applications (machinery, internet and more). The findings of these two days of learning will be helping us to draw conclusions, analyzing the 30+ hours of interviews we collected through our diverse set of research contexts, such as social and sustainable entrepreneurship, community based enterprises and even the legitimacy theory.
All these experiences sure did not feel like three weeks. We were able to ride motorcycles to the wildest backcountry of Kenya daily seeing Elephants, Giraffs and whatsoever on our “way to work” as much as experiencing the crazy nightlife of Nairobi. All of us are immensely grateful that we had the chance to be part of this program and experiencing the country in a way that is not possible as a normal tourist. So there is not much left to say then Kenya – Asante Sana.