Fluidic Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Madagascar, represented by the Minister of Energy, H.E. Gatien Horace, and Henri Frasier Fils & Cie, the Caterpillar partner in Madagascar.

This collaboration will provide a renewable energy-based turn-key mini-grid solution to 100 remote villages and communities with more than 400,000 people who currently do not have access to reliable electricity.

Minister of Energy H.E. Gatien Horace was in attendance for the signing of the MOU in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The village mini-grid systems deployed will utilize more than 7.5MWp of photovoltaic panels, 45MWh of Fluidic Energy Advanced Energy Storage products, connections and pre-pay billing systems.

The project will provide reliable and clean electricity for the first time to more than 400,000 people in rural areas of Madagascar.

This is one of the largest off-grid rural electrification projects on the continent of Africa, and demonstrates the commitment of the Republic of Madagascar’s Government to increase the national electrification rate and bring reliable energy access to all populated areas of the country.

Fluidic Energy CEO Steve Scharnhorst said: "This project further demonstrates Fluidic Energy’s position as a global energy storage leader."

"This type of rural electrification project is an outstanding example of how Fluidic Energy and our partners can impact the communities and people we serve.

"Not only are we positively impacting the lives of more than 400,000 people by providing a stable source of renewable based energy, we are also creating sustainable jobs, education, and opportunities in the communities impacted."

As the project leader, Fluidic Energy will supply the energy storage systems including its integrated smart grid intelligence, as well as overall project management.

Furthermore, and in partnership with Henri Fraise Fils & Cie, Fluidic Energy will explore the opportunity for setting up manufacturing infrastructure in Madagascar to support the project, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and maximizing local content.

Scharnhorst said: "Since 2011, Fluidic Energy’s intelligent storage systems have already been deployed in some of the harshest operating environments in the world delivering intelligent, clean, and commercially viable energy storage solutions to community infrastructure improvements. In every case we have exceeded all performance expectations in challenging environments."

"This project will greatly benefit these remote villages by bringing reliable energy, improving the standard of living, and providing opportunities for economic growth at both national and community level.

"Fluidic Energy’s Long Duration Energy Storage products are ideal for rural electrification applications as well as critical load support requirements," .