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OSRAM starts the first Off Grid pilot project at Lake Victoria

On Lake Victoria in Kenya OSRAM has launched a unique project for producing light away from a permanent power supply. At a specially constructed solar station (OSRAM Energy Hub) the local people can recharge batteries for energy-saving lamps, luminaires and other electrical appliances - such as mobile phones and radios - at low cost and without damaging the environment.

1.6 billion people around the world live without electricity because there are either no power lines or electricity is too expensive for the local population. In these regions mainly kerosene or petroleum lamps are the standard means of producing artificial light.

This is not only inefficient it is also expensive, dangerous, a health risk and additionally harms the environment.

Kerosene lamps for example contribute enormously to the emission of CO2, one of the factors responsible for global climate changes

This is the reason OSRAM turning its attention with its environment project “Off Grid” to the poorest regions of the world where there are no universal supplies of electricity to provide much needed help to rural areas.

Sustainable Lighting Solution

Under the project management of OSRAM and in cooperation with Solar World and Nokia a sustainable technology has been developed.

This solution offers energy saving lamps and electricity in the form of rechargeable batteries in the form of the “O-HUB™” concept.

When a battery has run down it can be taken to an “O HUB™” station and can be exchanged for a fully recharged one. The old batteries are recharged with the aid of solar power and then available again. This electricity can be used with an “O-LAMP™” and O-BOX™” either in the home or to earn their living.

Off Grid pilot project at Lake Victoria

Around Lake Victoria in Kenya and Uganda about 30 million people are living without electricity. In this region fishing is the main income for the households. Traditionally they use light as a means of catching fish. For this work each fishing boat consumes 1,200 liters of kerosene each year. This is an enormous financial burden on the fishermen, and kerosene is getting more and more expensive. On average they have to spend more than 70% of their income on kerosene.

In this pilot project OSRAM is setting up a total of four “O-HUB™s” to reduce these costs considerably.

“WE are proud to be the first manufacturer in the world to offer a sustainable lighting solution for regions without power supply networks” so Wolfgang Gregor, Chief Sustainability Officer at OSRAM.

Changing over from kerosene to battery powered lamps will have a profound effect on the finances of private households and the fishermen. It will also lead to a sustainable reduction in the burden on environment.

Within this Off grid project the changeover will save 20 million liters of kerosene and CO2 emissions will be reduced by an impressive 50.000 tonnes.