Interview: GOGLA
Since 2012, GOGLA have been the voice behind the global off-grid solar energy industry. We examine the progress of a solar-powered future across the developing world and GOGLA’s mission to combat energy poverty on a global scale
Africa Outlook (AO): Can you talk us through the origins of GOGLA; how it came about and its initial vision?
Patrick Tonui (PT): Nearly 800 million people around the world live in energy poverty and over a billion more have insufficient electricity supply. In the mid2000’s the modern off-grid solar energy industry began to develop - creating affordable, quality, ‘standalone’ solar solutions – solar lamps and home systems - that could be bought by people across the developing world. These solutions could replace the toxic kerosene lamps and candles they were using to light their homes and businesses.
In 2008, the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Lighting Kenya programme came on stream and brought together some of the first off-grid solar lighting companies. Seven of these early pioneers recognised the need to form GOGLA, a not-for-profit industry association, specifically geared to support the private sector in increasing access to modern off-grid solar energy.
From these initial founders, GOGLA has now grown to have over 200 members, becoming the voice of the off-grid solar energy sector, globally. We have continued to work closely with the World Bank and IFC but expanded partnerships well beyond these actors too. We are a team of 25, with our headquarters in Amsterdam and regional staff in East Africa, West Africa and India. Our mission is to improve energy access for over a billion people by 2030.
AO: Since inception, how has GOGLA developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?
PT: Over the years, we have grown from being an association for off-grid solar manufacturers to represent both off-grid solar manufacturers and distributors, as well as appliance and productive use companies. Our industry members range from market leaders to new start-ups, and from local SMEs to multinational corporations. Associate members include leading sector investors, national renewable energy associations and research institutes.
Our members continue to pioneer new, rapidly deployable clean tech innovations at a staggering rate. From the industry’s initial focus on solar lighting,
the sector has expanded to include productive use technologies, such as IoT enabled solar irrigation and ultra-efficient cooling, and information services such as radios, TVs and smart phones. All of these products are tailor-made for low-income households and businesses in developing countries.
Our objectives are to help our members create responsible and sustainable enterprises, support policymakers across Africa and Asia to develop the enabling environment needed for the industry to thrive, drive investment into the off-grid space, and help development partners create the interventions needed to rapidly accelerate access to clean energy and green jobs.
AO: What do you find most exciting about working within the off-grid solar energy industry?
PT: Our sector is at the front line of technology and business innovation. Our members are social enterprises, reaching people in low-income communities or rural areas, who are often left out of our economies. We are also bringing clean energy jobs to these communities and opening up economic opportunities for small businesses, whilst improving people’s quality of life. This impact on the day-to-day lives of millions of people is what drives me to work in this sector.
As we engage with various national governments, I also find it exciting to see how well our industry sector aligns with public interests. Delivering public services such as access to electricity and bettering the lives of their citizens by empowering economic opportunities is what all governments are after and we enable that, helping deliver on their agenda.
AO: On the flip side, what are the biggest challenges facing the development of solar energy?
PT: I believe our core challenges are on two fronts.
First, it is critical that off-grid solar is seen as an essential part of the energy mix and gets the right fiscal, regulatory and programmatic support whether in the form of subsidies, tax exemptions or