SOLARKIOSK AG CEO, Andreas Spiess, was invited by Sustainable Energy for All to provide insight on addressing energy needs in humanitarian settings at the annual Forum in Lisbon, Portugal.
Speaking on a panel alongside the Uganda Energy Minister, UNHCR, United Nations and MasterCard, Mr. Spiess said, The challenge of the increasing refugee population is both a responsibility and an opportunity for the private sector. It is a responsibility because this fundamental challenge can only be addressed with a trilateral joint effort between governments, NGOs and private companies. It is an opportunity because there is an enormous entrepreneurial potential in these settlements, with young entrepreneurs who want to work hard and build a business. SOLARKIOSK fully accepts and embraces the responsibility, making available its technology-design for refugees worldwide; it seizes the opportunity as only profitable business models will make it to scale.
SOLARKIOSK has deployed its technology-design, the E-HUBB, in refugee camps and humanitarian settings across Jordan and Ethiopia, expanding soon to further territories. The E-HUBB is used for a variety of different purpose (as a solar powered shop, clinic, school and community center) providing modern energy solutions to enhance the services provided by host communities and humanitarian organizations.