Quantifying impacts and benefits of advanced remote monitoring solutions for the operation of mini grids in sub-Saharan Africa

As of 2022, 675 million people do not have access to electricity globally. The large majority of this underserved population lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mini grids systems play a central role to close this energy access gap. The adoption of latest technologies such as remote monitoring solutions can contribute to strengthen mini grids business case by improving their operation, maintenance and performance. In this study we present the latest trends, opportunities and challenges of remote monitoring solutions for mini grids and we illustrate the potential of this technology in optimizing mini grids operations, making the case for wider adoption in the sector. The analysis is developed assessing primary data collected from seven mini grids developers, covering 49 photo-voltaic autonomous hybrid rural mini-grids across seven sub-Saharan Africa countries. To better understand the advantages of remote monitoring solutions we present a classification based on their related benefits compared to manual/local monitoring options. Orientation toward the adoption of remote monitoring solutions by mini grids developers highlights the advantages from a market and from the operational and maintenance perspectives. Through a cost-benefit analysis of remote monitoring solutions, we show that can have a positive impact on mini grids operations, leading to an overall operational expenditures reductions of up to 17 %, with an investment payback time as short as 1 year. Finally, we provide an estimation of operational costs savings at country level by using remote monitoring solutions in future rural electrification efforts.