In the remote village of Shikusa, located in Kenya's Kakamega County, over 500 residents lived without reliable electricity access for decades. Traditional grid extension was economically unfeasible, leaving the community dependent on expensive diesel generators and kerosene lamps.

The Challenge

The village faced significant energy poverty challenges:

• No connection to the national grid
• High costs of diesel generators
• Limited economic opportunities
• Poor lighting for education and businesses
• Health risks from kerosene use

The Solution

PAM AI partnered with local energy providers to deploy a solar mini-grid system integrated with intelligent energy management. The solution included:

• 150kW solar PV installation
• 200kWh battery storage system
• Smart meters for all households and businesses
• PAM AI optimization platform
• Mobile payment integration

Implementation Process

The implementation took three months, with PAM AI's platform enabling:

• Real-time monitoring of generation and consumption
• Predictive analytics for demand forecasting
• Automated load balancing
• Proactive maintenance alerts
• Transparent billing through mobile payments

Results and Impact

Within six months of implementation, the results were transformative:

• 100% Household Connection: All 120 households and 15 businesses connected
• 30% Cost Reduction: Energy costs reduced from $15/month to $10.50/month per household
• 24/7 Reliability: 99.2% uptime achieved through intelligent management
• Economic Development: 8 new businesses started, including a welding shop and small restaurant
• Education Improvement: Evening study hours extended for students
• Health Benefits: Elimination of indoor air pollution from kerosene

Community Feedback

Village elder Mary Wanjala shared: "Before PAM AI, we couldn't afford reliable electricity. Now, our children can study at night, businesses stay open longer, and we pay less than before. This has truly transformed our village."

Key Learnings

This case study demonstrates that:

• Intelligent energy management is crucial for mini-grid sustainability
• Real-time data enables proactive problem-solving
• Mobile payments increase accessibility and transparency
• Local engagement is essential for success
• Scalable solutions can address energy poverty effectively

Future Expansion

The success in Shikusa has led to plans for expanding to three neighboring villages, with the PAM AI platform providing a replicable model for rural electrification across Kenya.