The potential for solar-diesel hybrid mini-grids in refugee camps: A case study of Nyabiheke camp, Rwanda

TL;DR

This study evaluates the economic and environmental advantages of implementing renewable and hybrid mini-grids in refugee camps, showing significant cost savings and emission reductions in a case study of Nyabiheke camp, Rwanda.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of hybrid mini-grid designs in humanitarian settings, demonstrating their feasibility and benefits through a case study and modeling tools.

Findings

Cost savings up to 32% compared to diesel systems

Emission reductions of up to 83%

Payback times between 0.9 and 6.2 years

Abstract

Electricity access in refugee camps is often limited to critical operations for humanitarian agencies and typically powered by fossil fuel generators. We study the economic and environmental benefits that optimised fully renewable and diesel-hybrid mini-grid designs can provide in humanitarian settings by displacing diesel use. Considering the case study of Nyabiheke camp in Rwanda we found that these benefits are substantial, with savings up to 32% of total costs and 83% of emissions, and cost payback times ranging from 0.9 to 6.2 years. Despite of their different cost structures, we find that all hybridisation levels of the system provide cost and emission savings compared to the incumbent diesel system. We highlight how modelling tools can facilitate the introduction and progressive expansion of systems as well as inform operational considerations on the ground. This study demonstrates how financial resources, environmental objectives and operational timeframes will influence the most appropriate system design for humanitarian actors on a case-by-case basis.