DRC: Proparco is investing in Nuru to develop mini-hybrid solar networks

Nuru was set up in August 2015 and develops and operates urban solar hybrid mini-grids in eastern DRC, in North Kivu.

Nuru specializes in commercial and industrial (C&I) clients and households, by developing reliable and clean energy that is comparatively more affordable than existing private solutions based on diesel generators. The proposed tariffs per kWh are 30 to 50% cheaper than the average cost of diesel generators in the region.

In 2018, Nuru concluded an initial fundraising which allowed it to commission a first 55 kW site in Ben, in North Kivu, and a second 1.35 MW site in Goma which is, by its size, one of the main mini-grids in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Building on these initial successes, the company has developed a pipeline of mini-grid projects in eastern DRC. Nuru has launched an operation to raise equity to finance these projects. In this context, in February 2021, Proparco signed a EUR 1m convertible bond tranche.

The expected impacts of the Nuru project are as follows:

• 67,000 people should benefit from reliable electricity over the next 5 years through the solar hybrid mini-grids. The mini-grids will supply electricity to some 30 schools and health centers and 85 small businesses.
• The project will support some 2,700 jobs over the next 5 years. Women account for 45% of Nuru’s employees. Specific actions have been included in the E&S action plan to improve gender equality and formalize Nuru’s policies.
• The project should reduce annual CO2 emissions by 21,700 teq. 

The project should thereby contribute to SDG 7 (Clean energy), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) and SDG 13 (Climate action).