ANTANARIVO, Madagascar – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Henri Fraise Fils & Cie, a Malagasy energy company, for the development and implementation of minigrids in Madagascar, where only 15 percent of the population has electricity access. The grant supports the technical and economic study of solar photovoltaic (PV) powered minigrids with integrated battery storage technology at up to 100 sites, as well as a pilot to demonstrate the minigrid solution.

Henri Fraise selected the U.S.-based battery storage manufacturer, Fluidic, Inc. (Scottsdale, AZ), to carry out the feasibility study and pilot project. Fluidic, Inc. is supplying the integrated energy storage systems for the pilot. Other U.S. companies including Caterpillar (Peoria, IL) and First Solar (Perrysburg, OH), will also play a role in the project.

“USTDA is pleased to facilitate new business partnerships between U.S. and Malagasy companies that can spur long-term, sustainable economic growth,” said Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director Lida Fitts. “This project supports the adoption of innovative U.S. technologies that can expand electrification in Madagascar.”

“We appreciate USTDA’s support for our partnership with Fluidic, Inc.,” said Nicolas Verbert, Vice President of Henri Fraise. “The funds will help develop our business model and broader deployment of minigrid solutions across Madagascar.”

“We are excited to work with Henri Fraise to develop minigrid projects that will increase renewable-based electrification and economic development in rural areas of Madagascar,” said Richard Hallas, Regional Vice President of Fluidic, Inc. “We look forward to building on our previous success of implementing minigrids and battery storage systems globally.”

This project supports Power Africa by expanding energy access across sub-Saharan Africa. Implementation will result in the installation of a combined 10 megawatt peak of solar power generation and 88 megawatt hours of battery storage capacity, which would electrify an estimated 27,600 households and businesses in Madagascar.

U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar, Robert Yamate, signed the grant on behalf of USTDA, at a ceremony in Antanarivo at Madagascar’s Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons, along with Henri Fraise Vice President, Nicolas Verbert, and Fluidic, Inc. Regional Vice President, Richard Hallas.

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