Solar-powered irrigation systems and resilience to climate change: a viability analysis

Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns are a concern for developing countries where a substantial share of the population relies on rain-fed agriculture. Electrification has the potential to improve resilience in these contexts but energy access and affordability remain challenging for rural communities. We aim to explore the viability of solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) as a means to improve agricultural resilience to climate change and to make solar mini-grid economically viable and financially sustainable for rural communities. Data on existing and planned SPIS projects in Uganda, Ethiopia and Ghana will be collected to map the current situation and assess post-construction performances and functionality. The project will then apply a viability analysis framework that takes account of local context to conduct economic net benefit calculations for farmers in selected sites in each country. The approach, already developed by team members for Ethiopia, will be extended to Uganda and Ghana to provide a synthesis framework for other African settings. Electrification; solar irrigation; climate change resilience; water-energy-agriculture nexus