DEG at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum Bonn

On 19 June DEG hosted a workshop within the framework of the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum in Bonn. The focus of the workshop was on affordable solar systems and their contribution to improved living conditions in rural Africa. There was a high level of interest in the subject: around 40 participants attended the workshop.

It was already the second time that DEG participated in this international conference. This year, its workshop was titled "Green Tech in Practice - How to make solar energy affordable."

In his introduction, Bruno Wenn, Chairman of DEG's Management Board, explained the importance of affordable solar technology to developing and emerging-market countries. According to Wenn, high costs and a lack of know-how and finance are the main obstacles. These, however, could be overcome if the private sector offered reliable and affordable solutions, if governments created corresponding framework conditions for the use of renewable energies and for private sector participation - and if development finance institutions like DEG were willing to make the necessary long-term financing available.

In his practice-oriented presentation, Thomas Gottschalk, founder and managing director of the German Mobisol GmbH, described how the local population is able to benefit from mobile solar systems. Mobisol offers a reliable, sustainable and notably affordable off-grid energy supply in Tanzania and Mozambique. What makes it so special is that customers pay by low monthly instalments, using a mobile payment system via SMS. The instalments are based on the households' current energy costs. DEG provided financial support from develoPPP funds of the BMZ.

The presentation was followed by a lively debate with the audience that was made up of, among others, journalists from many African countries. The unanimous opinion was that an affordable energy supply is vital for the development of the continent. Consequently, the most frequent question asked by people from countries where Mobisol is not operating yet, was: When will Mobisol's solar panels be available in these countries?

"The Future of Growth – Economic Values and the Media" was the frame topic of this year's international conference of Deutsche Welle. From 17 to 19 June, more than 2,500 participants from over 100 countries attended the conference at the World Conference Center Bonn.

Further information:

Mobisol-Video „how it works“

http://vimeo.com/37653157