CrossBoundary Energy Access (CBEA) finances, owns, and manages solar mini-grids that provide clean, renewable, and affordable electricity to rural households and businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Solar mini-grids typically consist of a group of solar panels, diesel generators, distribution poles and wires, in-house wiring, smart meters, a battery system for energy storage, and an inverter to convert the energy for use in rural homes and businesses. The mini-grids operate independently from the main grid but can be integrated if necessary.
CBEA has developed this Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) manual to manage the environmental and social (E&S) impacts of its solar mini-grids and associated facilities.
The ESMS comprises policies, procedures, and guidelines CBEA incorporates into its investment processes. The procedures outlined in this ESMS are applied to each Project as part of CBEA’s overall risk management framework.