SPARKNET organisation profile

Rural Area Power Solutions RAPS

Member

The RAPS Group is a multidisciplinary energy business providing a range of services, including consultancy and energy investment services, utility management and technological solutions in the field of rural (typically off-grid) energy supply.

Our vision is to assist rural communities to gain access to improved energy services (for thermal, lighting, entertainment, productive and communications applications) in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner. In so doing we contribute to socio-economic development in poor rural communities.

The company has grown its investment activities from E+CO\'s agent for Southern Africa to Manager for Africa while our Utility Management profile and portfolio of consulting activities have been significantly enhanced. These developments have seen the company\'s staff profile increase from 3 members in 1999 to 41 staff members in 2002.

Our core employees have all been working in the rural energy sector for many years, and offer a unique combination of business management experience, education, policy development and implementation skills as well as project design and entrepreneurship facilitation experience. In-house expertise is complemented by excellent relationships with investment, research, consultancy and technology organisations and individuals.

A selection of current and past projects includes:

Management of the Nuon RAPS Utility

RAPS has been actively involved in the bidding, contract negotiation and establishment of the framework for the South African non-grid concession process. The Nuon RAPS utility is currently entering the final negotiation phase prior to roll out of the large scale Solar home System (50 000 systems) and rural energy services delivery operation in Northern Kwa Zulu-Natal. In addition, Nuon and RAPS have secured Dutch government funding (PSOM) to support the initial stages of the project. RAPS is responsible for the management of both projects.

Nampower off-grid electrification implementation plan

RAPS, is currently working with EMCON, a Namibian consultancy to develop a comprehensive business plan and implementation strategy for off-grid energy service delivery in Namibia on behalf of the national utility Nampower.

ESRI

RAPS is working with Energy for Sustainable Development (ESD UK), the EDRC, Agama Energy and Ugandan and Kenyan counterparts on a innovative UK (Dfid) funded project seeking to improve rural institution energy services through support of Energy Service Providers established as business in target regions.

Off-grid electrification project definition and development

The German government are in the process of allocating a grant of 31 M DM to South Africa for off-grid electrification. RAPS in partnership with lead consultant DECON have developed a comprehensive project design document- that will provide the framework for subsequent implementation.

E+Co Regional Manager for Africa

RAPS manages the E+Co activities across the African continent. We work with the UNEP AREED programme and other funders to identify, and support renewable and energy efficiency related business as they develop business plans and access first and second stage financing.

Electrification modeling

RAPS have played an active role (with several other partners) in the development of an innovative GIS based model to facilitate first pass electrification planning. Developed on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy, Eskom and the DBSA, the model has recently been evaluated, prior to role out as an integrated part of the national electrification process in South Africa.

Organisation contacts

	name	surname	city	country
Dr.	Douglas	Banks	Glenstantia, Pretoria	South Africa	view