Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 10:01 .

Decentralized Energy and Water Solutions for Crisis Recovery

The session at Intersolar Europe 2026 focused on the vital role of decentralized energy and water systems in crisis recovery, particularly through off-grid and mini-grid implementations. With increasing fossil fuel prices, countries facing energy shortages, like Ukraine, are turning to solar energy systems, which enhance resilience by reducing the risk of infrastructure failure. Decentralized solar solutions, such as solar-powered water desalination plants, provide safe water to large populations and are being expanded to serve better communities. Projects in Kenya aim to improve energy access in rural areas with sustainable mini-grids that minimize reliance on national grids. Successful strategies in refugee contexts highlight the importance of community engagement and scalability of mini-grids, ensuring they can adapt to future needs. These initiatives are pivotal for economic development and improving living standards, particularly in fragile and post-conflict regions. The overall focus is on long-term sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes, emphasizing the need for external funding and cooperative efforts.

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Speaker

Lea Dunst
International Project Manager
BSW - German Solar Association

Dr. Tania Rödiger-Vorwerk
Director, Climate, Environment, Health, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

Talk of session: Off-Grid to the Rescue: Rebuilding with Mini-Grids

In this urgent and forward-looking session of the Intersolar Europe Conference, we bring together voices from the frontlines of decentralized energy: representatives from Syria, Ukraine and Ethiopia - spanning immediate crisis response and longer-term energy market development - alongside practitioners who build and operate these systems at scale. What unites all perspectives is a shared insight: decentralized renewable energy proves its reliability precisely where conventional grids are absent, destroyed or isolated - from war-torn regions to island communities cut off from mainland supply.The initial focus is on the immediate, life-saving needs: hospitals, schools and water supply systems. We then move to the medium-term goal - interconnecting mini-grids, rebuilding resilient infrastructure, creating new jobs and livelihoods. A central question runs through both phases: how do we train local workforces through vocational training, apprenticeships and certification programs, so that rebuilding is not only about hardware, but about people and enduring capacity?Join us to examine how off-grid solar transitions from emergency stop-gap to the sustainable backbone of recovery and growth.

Further Talks of this session:

Setting the Scene

Speaker

Gianni Chianetta
Chair
Greening the Islands Foundation
Italy

To Talk

Panel Discussion

Speaker

To Talk

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