10114820SPARC- A Solar-Powered Mini-Grid Approach to Boost Agricultural Productivity and Rural Community livelihoods : Transforming Cassava Milling in Edondon and 5 neighboring communitiesClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKOur project SPARC aims to perform a feasibility study to replace all fossil-fueled diesel generators for the installation of a solar-based hybrid Mini-Grid for the 1,500-resident Edondon community located in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. This feasibility study is essential as it will pave the way for solar-based mini-grid installation in 5 nearby rural communities having a combined population of 23,000 residents and possessing similar socio-economic characteristics, challenges, and needs. Edondon with its 1500 residents, primarily composed of youths and children, has no access to electricity. Consequently, this has affected the community's agricultural sector which is the main livelihood for the majority of the population. The community is relying on fossil fuel-powered generators for daily needs and especially to operate their cassava milling machines which has led to low productivity, high costs of production, and pollution. Additionally, schools, hospitals, and local businesses in the community also depend on these generators restricting access to education, healthcare, economic advancement, and sustainable development. Responding to these needs and challenges, our consortium consisting of UK-based dpSun and Nigeria-based Ceesolar intends to perform a feasibility study to replace all fossil fuel-powered generators used especially for cassava milling machines in addition in homes, businesses schools, and hospitals in the Edondon community by a solar-based Hybrid Mini-Grid. This will boost the community productivity levels, power cassava milling machines to increase farm produce processing, increase access to education and healthcare services power local businesses, and reduce CO2 emissions. The consortium will undertake field surveys which will include a collection of socio-economic data, a GESI survey, data related to the number of generators that can be replaced, power consumption, and demand among other parameters. Project SPARC also includes a Technical and Financial Feasibility Assessment which will provide a comprehensive analysis, recommending optimal components and technologies for our proposed solar-based hybrid mini-grid - Solar Panels, Inverters, Mini-Grid Management Systems, and Battery Storage solutions that align with project specifications. We will also outline a viable business model, propose cost-effective tariffs, and include financial projections, risk assessments, and strategies for long-term operational efficiency, along with end-of-life reuse and/or disposal of our mini-grid. Circularity and Sustainability are essential parts of our feasibility study along with GESI activities and community engagement initiatives. Project SPARC presents a multifaceted solution that touches on technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects to transform the lives of the 6 rural communities.