Africa Grows

SAEDF’s 2007 investment in Alternative Energy Development Corporation (AEDC) has helped to bring electric power to the more rural and underserved communities of South Africa. SAEDF’s support has been significant. As a result of South Africa being a nation so geographically vast, its population is well spread out—often a substantial obstacle in providing resources to residents. The situation often becomes a choice between the option of extending the power grid (yielding high investments costs for such relatively small loads), the use of small diesel generators which unfortunately have high operational and maintenance costs, solar energy, or fuel cells.

Until, that is, that AEDC stepped up with the aid of SAEDF, offering a solution to the high cost of employing conventional methods of power. They have developed a zinc air fuel cell which is able to provide electric power without using a conventional electric supply, called Mr. Fuel. Through such innovative fuel cell technology, AEDC has brought electricity to areas in South Africa that do not have access to common electricity. The village of Guyuni, for instance, now has power for more than 300 dwellings, as well as improved job creation due to AEDC’s presence.

Through SAEDF’s investment, AEDC is making safe, environmentally-friendly power more readily available. As a direct result, South Africans now have the ability to forge ahead toward enhanced economic possibilities and improved domestic life, and have been recognized by USAID and the Tech Museum Awards as a 2009 Economic Development Award Laureate for its work.

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