Husk Power Systems to get grant from USAID-led program

Husk Power Systems of Ghana and Nigeria was one of 13 finalists that will receive part of nearly $13 million in funding from the "Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development program," a joint program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the governments of Sweden and Germany, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Duke Energy Corp., USAID said recently.

Husk Power Systems' focus is on making electric power available to rural areas. The project for which funding was awarded aims to produce biomass and solar PV hybrid mini-grids for off-grid farming communities.

The winners were announced at the recent Powering Agriculture Innovator Showcase in Washington, D.C. More than 871 projects were submitted for consideration.

Winners were chosen based on the likelihood that they could help increase agricultural yields, decrease after-harvest losses, improve the income of farmers, and increase energy efficiency in farms and agribusinesses.

" 'Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development' demonstrates how we can harness the collective intelligence and entrepreneurship of innovators to help end extreme poverty by providing clean energy to feed the developing world," USAID senior deputy assistant administrator Charles North said.

Other finalists include Ariya Capital Group, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; Claro Energy, India; Futurepump, Kenya; Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network Ethiopia; Institute for University Cooperation, Jordan and Lebanon; International Development Enterprises, Bangladesh; KickStart International, Kenya; SimGas Tanzania Ltd., Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania; SunCulture, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; University of Toronto, Bangladesh; Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala; and Village Infrastructure Angels, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vanuatu.

More information about "Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development" initiative can be found online at www.poweringag.org.