Lighting Up Kajiado – How the Eluanata Mini-Grid is Transforming Lives
Access to reliable electricity remains one of the greatest challenges in rural Kenya. In Kajiado Central, many households have long relied on kerosene lamps, charcoal, and firewood to light their homes and run daily activities. These options are not only costly but also harmful to people’s health and the environment.
SouthCreek set out to change this reality with the Eluanata Mini-Grid, a flagship solar power project designed to bring clean, affordable energy directly to the community.
The system combines 190 kWp of solar PV panels with 0.55 MWh of battery storage, creating a reliable supply of electricity that now powers over 500 households, schools, a health clinic, water points, and local businesses.
The impact has been immediate and life-changing:
- Families now enjoy safe, affordable lighting that replaces smoky kerosene lamps.
- Students can study into the evening, unlocking better opportunities for learning.
- Clinics have reliable refrigeration for vaccines and equipment, improving healthcare.
- Farmers and business owners can use electricity for irrigation, refrigeration, and extended operating hours.
Beyond the immediate benefits, the mini-grid also reduces carbon emissions, promotes environmental conservation, and creates new jobs for youth and women within the community.
The Eluanata Mini-Grid isn’t just a project — it’s a blueprint for Kenya’s clean energy future. By proving that solar mini-grids can be both sustainable and impactful, SouthCreek is demonstrating what’s possible when innovation meets community need.
As Kenya moves toward Vision 2030 and the global Sustainable Development Goals, projects like this ensure that no community is left behind in the transition to clean, reliable energy.