Business opportunities

The energy market offers different business opportunities in relation to Nordic strongholds. The focus areas can be categorized as rural or urban and electrified or non-electrified. Examples of potential business areas include:

Improved cooking stoves and biofuels

Development and distribution of more efficient stoves and biofuels has a significant potential. The cooking device must be cheap but of good quality, easy to operate and repair, and culturally acceptable. Development of more efficient biofuels for cooking is also a focus area. Residues from local agro-business and manure from livestock are often an untapped resource that can be used to reduce the immense deforestation rate from the use of firewood.

Household systems for light and other purposes

Developing tailored household systems that meet the BOP needs is another market opportunity. Besides providing light after dark for studying or business purposes, a household system could also address other low-voltage needs, for example radio, mobile charging, and other appliances.

Grid-extensions or grid-connections in urban areas

Urban areas are often partially grid-connected – with the lowest connection rate in slum and suburban areas. In slum areas, there are often illegal and hazardous transmissions that users pay a large premium to use. Safe, reliable, and inexpensive energy through efficient grid-extensions and grid connections is called for, and there is also a demand for electrical appliances.  

Stand-alone grid with integrated energy sources

In villages or small towns in rural areas, grid extensions and connections are often too expensive and too big a task to undertake by the authorities and local companies. Consequently, inefficient diesel generators are used by those who can afford it. A viable alternative could be a small independent grid with multiple energy sources e.g. hydro, wind, and biomass generators.

Restructuring of grid connections in urban areas

Experience shows that improving an existing energy distribution model can have a great impact on the inhabitants’ energy situation, increasing stability, legitimacy, and number of connected users. Intelligent metering systems and optimization of existing grid connections are therefore also a business opportunity.