The Mini-Grid Business copertina

The Mini-Grid Business

The Mini-Grid Business

Di: Nico Peterschmidt / INENSUS
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A proposito di questo titolo

Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids.

In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share.

From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing.

This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange.

Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.

So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

© 2026 The Mini-Grid Business
Economia
  • The TAMARSO story
    Jan 16 2026

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    When TAMARSO’s founder returned to Somalia after the end of the war, he knew exactly where to focus: solar minigrids.

    A countdown to ten. Then a village lights up—and everything changes. Children study after dark. Fishers navigate safely at night. Refrigerators keep goods cold.

    That moment captures the heart of TAMARSO’s story: a Somali minigrid company transforming sunshine into reliable, affordable electricity—and reshaping everyday life, one village at a time.

    Tamarso | Clean Energy for Somalia

    Minigrid Development in Africa - AMDA | Africa Minigrid Developers Association

    Home | ESMAP

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

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    17 min
  • Learnings from Sierra Leone
    Jan 12 2026

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    Sierra Leone has been one of the early large minigrid roll outs in Africa. A great success and milestone for the sector with a lot of learnings.

    Tariffs fell, demand jumped, and batteries died faster—that’s the uncomfortable arc of many rural mini-grids in Sierra Leone. We sit down with Dipta Majumder of INENSUS and Momori Kamara of MIK Energy to unpack how a pioneering regulatory framework, ambitious rollout programs, and political pressure on prices created both progress and pain. From RREP’s health-focused Work Package 1 to larger Work Package 2 sites and the UEF portfolio, we map where systems thrived, where they underperformed, and what must change to deliver reliable power without bankrupting operators.

    We get specific on how elasticity-driven tariff cuts unlocked consumption but strained undersized PV and lead-acid storage, why reserve accounts for replacements failed, and how a split-asset model blurred accountability between public and private players. The conversation tackles FX shocks and inflation that halved effective tariffs in USD terms, the real cost of building a framework from scratch, and why distance between small villages quietly inflates OPEX. You’ll hear clear guidance on right-sizing PV and storage, shifting toward lithium, simplifying ownership structures, and using operator-led installations to cut EPC overheads.

    The way forward is pragmatic and within reach. Differentiated subsidies can keep remote, low-income communities on the map without forcing operators into unviable sites. Clustering reduces logistics costs and improves uptime. Transparent tariff indexation protects revenues, while joint ventures blend international capital with local execution. With fresh EU and regional DARES funding, a regulator and ministry experienced in mini-grid realities, and two seasoned operators on the ground, Sierra Leone can turn hard lessons into durable gains.

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

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    52 min
  • Electricity and Power: The Geopolitics of Energy Independence (English interpretation)
    Oct 30 2025

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    Sigmar Gabriel — former Vice Chancellor of Germany, former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, and former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as former Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety — joins us to discuss how Europe sees Africa’s development, its energy transition, and the geopolitical forces shaping both.

    We explore how a shifting global order intersects with energy policy, why Europe often finds itself on the sidelines, and where decentralized renewables could enable African countries to industrialize on their own terms. Gabriel provides a pragmatic view on risk, supply chains, hydrogen strategies, and the “migration hump” — and what a more balanced partnership between Europe and Africa would require.


    Topics We Cover
    • postwar order challenged by a confident global south and a retreating US
    • Europe’s limited agency in conflict zones and energy strategy
    • Germany’s energy dependence story
    • Africa’s decentralized mini-grids as a leapfrog path
    • storage, smart grids, and system stability beyond dunkelflaute
    • China’s no-questions-asked model vs. models with more growth potential
    • risk premiums, governance, and public de-risking tools
    • hydrogen siting, grid integration, and export versus local use
    • rural industrialisation and local value creation near resources
    • supply chain diversification and partnerships through GAIN

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

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    44 min
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