$2 Rental Batteries Empower South Africa’s Energy Needs

Rowan Ashford

ago 2 hours

Residents in South Africa are increasingly turning to rental batteries to address their energy needs. One notable entrepreneur, Anselmo Munghabe, operates a barbershop in Tembisa, a township north of Johannesburg. With the community lacking electricity since April, he has found a unique way to sustain his business.

$2 Rental Batteries Empower South Africa’s Energy Needs

Munghabe introduced rental batteries that provide a much-needed energy source. Customers now flock to his barbershop, not for haircuts, but to charge their phones. Munghabe charges 5 rand (about 30 cents) for each device plugged into the battery.

Challenges of the Electricity Grid

Despite 90% of South Africans being connected to the national electricity grid, frequent power outages plague urban areas like Tembisa. Overloaded transformers leave many residents without electricity for extended periods, particularly impacting poorer neighborhoods.

BPowerd: A Solution for Energy Access

The rental battery program, known as BPowerd, was launched by BP last year. It offers batteries ranging from 300 to 1,000 watt-hours, capable of powering devices for several hours. Users can pick up batteries from local gas stations equipped with solar panels for recharging.

Community Impact and Opportunities

Many residents use batteries for various purposes, including:

Running convenience stores and taverns
Operating makeshift music studios
Providing power for church services
Operating essential medical devices like nebulizers
Watching television

The program has expanded beyond providing power to businesses. It helps families meet their essential energy needs. Customers like Munghabe pay 40 rand ($2.35) for daily rental of a larger battery. A smaller 300-watt version costs half that.

Comparing Battery Rental Programs

Previous initiatives, such as one by MOPO, also focus on daily rental batteries. MOPO has about 125,000 batteries in circulation across seven African nations, targeting rural areas lacking major infrastructure. BPowerd and MOPO’s programs reveal a growing trend in renewable energy access in Africa.

Advantages of Battery Rentals

Lower cost compared to purchasing solar panels and batteries outright
Immediate access to power instead of waiting for grid improvements
Fostering local business growth and community resilience

Experts believe that rental batteries could significantly innovate energy access in Africa. Ifeoma Malo, founder of the Clean Technology Hub, highlights that these solutions promote inclusiveness in energy availability. “This is a game changer,” she states, emphasizing its potential for expanding access in under-served areas.