Generation projects run on revenue from the sale of electricity to pay for the OPEX and the depreciation of CAPEX. The projects result in sufficient free cash flow and a debt service reserve account to buffer variations in revenue. The business plan covering CAPEX and OPEX leads to a self-supporting operation that generates renewable energy and provides free cash flow to fund Access projects and a community programme for sensibilisation, education and co-creation.
Access projects are funded using free cash flow from the generation projects and require a payback of CAPEX over less than 5 year. Revenue in access projects comes from sale of energy, which can be paid form better efficiency and more growth.
- Efficiency: savings in fuels.
Small diesel generators operate at a cost up to 500€/MWh, renewable energy can be as low as 75€/MWh. - Growth: new economic activity.
Local access to energy allows for new initiatives and small business the emerge (e.g. growing food for the local market using solar pumped irrigation)