In a sustained effort towards addressing climate change and empowering rural communities, the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is set to implement the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) in Kenya.
Funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the initiative will focus on integrating solar energy solutions into the dairy and horticulture value chains in last-mile communities, contributing to Kenya’s national climate goals and enhancing the sustainability of solar energy systems.
The DREEM Hub aims to address multiple challenges in rural energy access, agricultural productivity, and community livelihoods by promoting the productive use of renewable energy. The project will prioritize youth and women entrepreneurs, particularly within dairy and horticultural cooperatives, offering a unique opportunity for them to develop skills, access finance, and leverage clean energy for enhanced productivity and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Goals of the DREEM Hub
- Youth and Women Empowerment: The DREEM Hub will train 1,000 youth and women entrepreneurs to become leaders in the agrisolar sector, equipping them with technical and business skills to implement solar-powered solutions.
- Financial Access: A Revolving PUSE Loan Fund will be established to provide affordable financing, helping underserved youth and women access the capital they need to invest in solar technologies that power agricultural processes like milking, cooling, and irrigation.
- Climate Action: By increasing the use of solar energy, the DREEM Hub will reduce carbon emissions in the agricultural sector, aligning with Kenya’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 32% by 2030.
A Holistic Approach for Lasting Impact
The DREEM Hub will be coordinated by KCIC and supported by different partners within the ecosystem such as Energy Research Centers, agricultural cooperatives, and financial institutions, taking a holistic and sustainable approach. The initiative will seek to transform rural livelihoods by enhancing productivity through access to reliable solar-powered solutions, building a sustainable ecosystem with capacity-building, enterprise support, and long-term community engagement. It will also seek to encourage the adoption of innovative agrisolar technologies within dairy and horticulture cooperatives.
Impact on Rural Communities
Beyond improving agricultural productivity, the DREEM Hub will also boost economic resilience. With a focus on underserved communities, it is expected to create over 700 direct jobs and 2,100 indirect jobs, while reducing environmental impacts through the mitigation of up to 150,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Additionally, the program is designed to be financially sustainable through the revolving loan fund, ensuring long-term support for agrisolar entrepreneurs.
KCIC CEO, Joseph Murabula, emphasizes the importance of the DREEM Hub as part of Kenya’s transition to a low-carbon economy. “By integrating solar solutions into key agricultural sectors, we are not only reducing emissions but also creating new economic opportunities for communities that need it most. The DREEM Hub will be a game-changer in how Kenya’s rural areas approach energy use and productivity.”
With a two-year implementation period beginning January 2025, the DREEM Hub will position Kenya at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture. KCIC’s collaborative approach with partners, cooperatives, and government entities will be instrumental in ensuring the success and sustainability of the project, leading to significant social, economic, and environmental impacts.
The implementation of the project is being preceded with a six-month planning and design phase, which involves a needs assessment exercise, and the identification of suitable partners to support different components of the programme like access to finance, skill development, research, monitoring and evaluation, as well as awareness creation.
