IKEA Foundation Teams Up with Solar Group GOGLA
The IKEA Foundation has unveiled its intentions to collaborate with GOGLA, the global organisation for the off-grid solar energy sector.
This partnership aims to expedite the deployment of small-scale renewable energy solutions across Asia and Africa.
Within the framework of this alliance, GOGLA will receive a funding injection of €4 million over four years. This financial support will propel advancements in renewable technologies within the off-grid solar sector.
These technologies have the potential to modernise agricultural practices, enhance food and water security, energize micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and provide electricity to health infrastructure.
The formal announcement of this new partnership was made during the South Asia Forum for Distributed Energy (SAFDE), hosted at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Additionally, the IKEA Foundation has formally endorsed GOGLA's 'Power 1 Billion Lives' UN Energy Compact. This move aligns the foundation with over 100 other organisations, all sharing the collective vision of delivering renewable energy to underserved communities.
Per Heggenes, CEO of the IKEA Foundation, expressed pride in supporting GOGLA's mission to amplify the effective utilisation of renewable energy across Asia and Africa.
He emphasised that more than 750 million individuals currently lack access to electricity. Off-grid solar technology possesses the potential to equip them with tools that can uplift their quality of life and foster employment opportunities. This expansion of off-grid solar solutions also contributes to the global pursuit of the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Koen Peters, the executive director of GOGLA, hailed the partnership with the IKEA Foundation as a pivotal development for the off-grid solar industry. Peters underscored the significance of collective efforts in enhancing livelihoods and addressing climate change.
"This collaboration will serve as a conduit to unlock fresh possibilities, enabling the expansion of solar irrigation, cooling, communications, and other PURE technologies. By 2030, we aim to reach an additional 190 million people through these networks and foundations."
Source: Business Green
