IEEE Smart Village Funds Darway Coast in Nigeria

For Immediate Release
DATE: September 10,2019
CONTACT: Dan Estes, estesdanlee@gmail.com, 404 625-3182

IEEE Smart Village Funds Darway Coast in Nigeria
Remote Project Brings Hope for a Bright Future

PISCATAWAY, NJ –. IEEE Smart Village has joined forces with the U.S. Africa Development Foundation, along with financial backing from ALL-ON, to fund Darway Coast Nigeria with two solar powered micro-grids in the Etchie region of Nigeria. This initial funding will provide for power in locations that are so remote that macro-grid power is uneconomical for the foreseeable future. Augustine Ureh, COO of Darway Coast LTD., has secured funding from multiple sources to start the projects in 2019. This funding from IEEE Smart Village will help with starting the marketing and operations of the Micro-grid utility.

Darway Coast was one of five mini-grid companies selected in 2018 for funding by USADF and All-On. The subsequent investment by IEEE Smart Village in 2019 will allow them to implement project plans that were developed by holding stakeholder meetings and energy demand assessments. This market research fed directly into the solar array design, power distribution sizing, and reserve battery plant capacity assessment. Installation and commissioning the power plant is now underway with technician training and community education initiatives happening in parallel.

Darway Coast Nigeria, LTD. was incorporated in 2015 with a mission to provide access to reliable and affordable clean energy to households and businesses in off-grid and unreliable grid communities in Nigeria. Their core value is to push the boundary of innovation. Darway Coast is focusing on executing various technology driven business models and products including inventing products where necessary. For example, they have developed a lithium battery power management system with remote monitoring, unique in the industry.

“We hope to be operational by the end of the year”, said Mr. Ureh. “This will allow us to begin the door-to-door marketing in the area. Our target is 35 residential customers and 35 commercial customers by the end of 2019”, he added. Businesses in the community comprised of agricultural processing, barber shops, cold drink shops, cybercafés, business centers, viewing centers, gaming shops, phone repair services, phone charging stations, electronics stores, and a pharmacy. Based on market surveys, they are very interested in cleaner and more affordable source of electricity due to the exorbitant cost of operating and maintaining their individual gensets.

Darway Coast believes that innovation is the key enabler of a successful business. “We are piloting our efficient DC fridge/freezers using lithium batteries for households and small businesses, “ said Mr. Ureh. Darway Coast is not limiting its innovation to power systems. They plan to contribute to the value chain of the beneficiary communities by harvesting local agricultural produce and processing them.

Figure 2 Battery storage and distribution center under construction in Etchie district of Nigeria. Photo used by permission of Darway Coast.

Opportunities to Donate:
Funding for all ISV projects comes from donations to the IEEE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Numerous technical, administrative and operational volunteers support the effort. Should you wish to donate please visit the following URL: https://ieeefoundation.org/SmartVillage_donation

###

IEEE Smart Village integrates sustainable electricity, education, and entrepreneurial solutions to directly assist off-grid communities to become self-sufficient. Through a global network of local entrepreneurs, expert engineers and passionately dedicated volunteers, we work in partnership with community and other change agents to help empower local economies, create job opportunities, and foster education programs that help communities around the world to learn how to continually improve their quality of life. Learn more at smartvillage.ieee.org.

About IEEE
IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org

About Darway Coast
Darway Coast, LTD. Is an emerging multi-technology company based in Nigeria. Their mission is to empowering commercial and industrial customers by reducing the cost of powering their businesses as they create significant value to the economy. www.darwaycoast.com