Togo
Strengthening the photovoltaic sector in central Togo
Energy for the future: solar training in Togo
The URBIS Foundation has been committed to promoting renewable energy in Togo for over 20 years - particularly in the field of solar technology. Since the beginning of 2023, this long-standing commitment has been intensified by a new, five-year cooperation with Windkraft Simonsfeld AG. Together, the project partners are pursuing the goal of strengthening the professional qualifications of young people in the solar sector in central Togo and improving access to a sustainable energy supply. Windkraft Simonsfeld AG is providing the project funding of up to EUR 20,000 per year. The practical realisation of the project is carried out in close cooperation with the URBIS Foundation Togo.
- Total volume: 93.500 €
- Laufzeit: 1. 1.2023-01.01.2027
- Project region: Central Region, Togo
- Project partner: Urbis Foundation Togo
Financed by Windkraft Simonsfeld AG
Promoting solar potential - creating opportunities for young professionals
Togo offers excellent conditions for the expansion of solar energy. At the same time, however, there is a lack of sufficiently qualified specialists to tap into this potential across the country and to plan, install and maintain solar systems professionally. This is precisely where the project comes in: It creates practical training programmes, supports young skilled workers entering the profession and sustainably improves the training infrastructure in the solar sector.
1. Improved training infrastructure for modern solar training programmes in the central region
A central element of the project is the expansion of the training infrastructure in the city of Sokodé. As part of the project, classrooms and practice rooms will be supplemented with relevant equipment and new specialised literature for the URBIS Foundation's reference library as well as special measuring equipment will be provided. In addition to the established supplementary PV courses, new specialised courses on solar thermal energy are also being developed and implemented.
2. Training and promotion of solar electricians
In addition to expanding the infrastructure, the focus is on the individual development of young professionals. Every year, the 20 best graduates of the solar courses introduced by URBIS at two vocational schools in Sokodé receive a four-month internship in solar companies in Togo. They then take part in an intensive training programme on entrepreneurship and management. At the end, they receive a toolbox that makes it easier for them to become self-employed solar installers. The aim is to provide motivated young professionals with a future-proof specialisation and significantly improve their career prospects.
3. From theory to practice: solar plants as learning centres
The solar training is supplemented by demonstration systems that serve as practical learning centres for the newly trained solar electricians. As part of this special, hands-on training, both photovoltaic and solar thermal systems are installed on several hospital wards in the region - under the guidance of experienced trainers and together with young specialists.
These installations enable the participants to apply their knowledge directly: from installation, wiring and commissioning to troubleshooting. In this way, theory is combined with valuable practical experience - a crucial step for a successful career start.
Experienced regional installers also benefit from the training and installations. The installations themselves not only have an educational benefit, but also an important social benefit: Peripheral health centres gain access to a reliable power supply for lighting and medication refrigeration for the first time, while in maternity wards, the provision of hot water through solar energy significantly improves hygienic conditions and the care of mothers and newborns.
In this way, the demonstration facilities combine training, regional skills development and concrete improvements in the healthcare sector in an exemplary manner.
The project is being implemented by the URBIS Foundation Togo and financed by Windkraft Simonsfeld AG.
