IEEE PES congratulates GVEP as winner of GE-USADF challenge

PISCATAWAY, USA: IEEE Power & Energy Society announced that the Green Village Electricity Project was a winner of the power Africa off-grid energy challenge, an initiative launched by General Electric and the United States Africa Development Agency.

Ifeanyi Orajaka, his company GVE Projects Ltd. and his efforts to introduce solar-based power to rural parts of Nigeria were sponsored by IEEE PES, through its CSI.

The Green Village Electricity Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by IEEE members from the FUTO, supports GVEP and advocates for affordable and reliable energy solutions for rural African locations.

The project idea was conceptualized as an entry in the IEEE presidents change the world competition, which recognizes and rewards students who identify a real-world problem and apply engineering, science, computing and leadership skills to solve it.

GVEP sought to provide energy solutions to a remote settlement in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria via solar panels. The off-grid solar electricity supplies the energy needs of a small, remote settlement including basic lighting, powering of small gadgets and providing electricity for a health center and water borehole.

"GVEP exemplifies the efforts of the IEEE PES CSI by bringing together engineers to collaborate with other professions to foster development and sustainability in Nigeria," said Robin Podmore, vice president of new initiatives and outreach, IEEE PES. "On behalf of the CSI team and IEEE PES governing board and executive committee, we all congratulate Ifeanyi Orajaka on the success of the Green Village Electricity Project. However, the true winners are those living in the rural parts of Nigeria who now have solar-based power as a result."

"CSI is a non-profit member group of IEEE PES that brings together a diverse team to use renewable energy and technology to improve lives of people in remote communities in a sustainable way," said Noel Schulz, president, IEEE PES. "GVEP provides an affordable, efficient energy source to a developing country, which aligns with our mission to be the leading provider of scientific and engineering information on electric power and energy for the betterment of society. IEEE PES is very honored to support GVEP."