FRES at a glance

Started as part of a foundation, now independenly owned but preserving its focus on impact,
FRES Solar is a renewable energy company committed to expanding energy access in Uganda by providing affordable, reliable solar solutions including solar home systems for everyday household needs, mini-grids that power entire communities and businesses, and productive-use energy that supports small enterprises through a flexible energy as a service model that makes clean energy accessible to underserved and off-grid populations.

Our vision

To be the leading renewable energy service provider in Uganda.

Our mission

To provide renewable energy access in last-mile communities in Uganda in a commercially sustainable way.

Accelerating rural electrification

With ten years left to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2020s have been called the decade of delivery. As a key driver of sustainable development, access to clean, renewable energy is crucial for realizing not only the SDGs but also the core promise of the 2030 agenda to leave no one behind.

At the current pace of electrification, however, half a billion people – primarily living in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel – will still be unserved in 2030. The urgency of the challenge and the need to obtain long-term results that truly fulfil the promise of leaving no one behind, means we must step up our efforts.

As a pioneer in bringing off-grid solar energy solutions to rural Uganda, FRES proves it can be done. Even in the most challenging areas that are at greatest risk of being left behind, FRES has become a trusted supplier of solar energy to businesses, communities and households.

Central to our success is our belief in local entrepreneurship. FRES establishes commercial electricity companies under local management that gradually extend their reach from village to village and district to district. Our aim is for our companies to become financially sustainable in the long term. Expenses are kept to a minimum, and any profits our

companies generate are reinvested locally to support relevant expansion and finance future asset replacements without subsidies. This proven growth strategy and our ‘boots on the ground’ approach set us apart and allow us to combine affordable premium technology with ongoing professional maintenance.

From a single company in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa in 1999 that recently became self-reliant, we have replicated and further developed our model in Uganda. We are looking for partners and donors to support and accelerate our work.

What we do

With solar home systems (SHS), nano and mini grids and productive use platforms in our portfolio, we can meet all the energy needs of individual households, communities and businesses in off-grid rural areas.

Solar home systems

SHS customers can choose between several pre-set service levels depending on their individual energy needs. Installing multiple SHS can meet the energy needs of small businesses, such as bars or shops, as well as clinics, religious centers and schools.

Micro and nano grids

Micro and nano grids provide a standalone energy solution that is more efficient than a single home system without requiring the capital-intensive infrastructure of a mini grid. The 220 volts provide power to small networks of up to eight connections for private and business use.

Mini grids

A mini grid is a small electricity network that can connect domestic, commercial and community customers within a radius of a few kilometers with a solar power plant. This is composed of a field of solar panels, a large set of batteries and a backup generator.

Multifunctional platforms

FRES can build multifunctional platforms that provide a tailored energy supply for a whole regional ecosystem of businesses and households. With partners, this can be combined with productive use offerings such as solar-powered water pumps, irrigation, processing equipment and cold storage.

Solar water pumping

A solar water pumping system is powered by solar panels and can be used for commercial purposes such as irrigation of agricultural land. By using energy from the sun, the system eliminates manual labor and the need to burn fossil fuels.

Energy-as-a-service

FRES sees energy as a service. Our companies provide electricity on the basis of energy as a service model. Customers pay a monthly fee using mobile payment and can upgrade systems when needed.

FRES companies install and retain ownership of these systems, taking care of all after-sales maintenance and replacement investments. This ensures long-term, sustained use of the assets. FRES is also responsible for collecting and recycling old systems, reducing waste and promoting circularity.

This model makes premium technology affordable to our customers and beneficiaries. To ensure our service levels remain high, we are currently upgrading the solar systems of our current customer base and converting to next-generation batteries with faster charging speeds and greater durability.

Annual reports and governance documentation

Governance documents

FRES’ governance processes are guided by our policy documents, which have been approved by the FRES board.

Annual reports

The annual reports provide a consolidated overview of FRES’ financial results and a governance report by the board

Company Reports

The company reports provide an annual overview of activities and progress for local partners and stakeholders