FRES (Foundation Rural Energy Services) is a nonprofit organization that fosters rural electrification in developing countries by setting up small-scale commercial electricity companies in areas without a connection to the national electricity grid. They offer households and small companies access to electricity derived from solar energy. The availability of electricity contributes to poverty reduction and enhances the living conditions of the rural inhabitants.

Africa’s rural population usually uses batteries, candles, kerosene and car batteries as light or electricity source. These are expensive and unsustainable solutions, which are harmful to health and environment. FRES companies offer a safe, healthy and sustainable alternative for the same or lower cost.

Millennium Development Goals

In 2020 FRES would like to provide 100,000 families and small businesses with safe, affordable and sustainable electricity. With its projects FRES helps achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. The availability of electricity contributes to poverty reduction and enhances the living conditions of the rural population:

• Availability of light also in the evenings and at night
• Economic growth
• More safety on the streets thanks to (public) lighting
• Less fire hazard from falling candles or oil lamps
• Less indoor air pollution
• Less damage to the environment
• Better lighting and facilities in hospitals and schools
• Improved access to means of communication such as radio, television and cell phones.
• Lower costs for the same amount of lumen or kWh compared to the use of candles, oil lamps or private diesel generators.