Next generation utility BBOXX has partnered GE to provide energy access to small businesses, schools and other organisations in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

BBOXX provides reliable and affordable solar products, and has deployed over 150,000 systems so far in countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Togo. It first launched operations in the DRC in January, and has now joined forces with GE to further tackle power issues in the country.

The company has deployed the first of GE's Hybrid Distributed Power (HDP) systems in the city of Goma, close to the Rwandan border, to connect up to 10 customers. The first is a local school, Kivu International School, while more customers will be added to the "mini grid" over the following weeks.

GE's HDP technology provides sustainable energy in off-grid settings, combining solar energy, battery storage and diesel generation to ensure a reliable electricity supply. The systems will be linked between GE's Predix digital remote monitoring and diagnostics platform to BBOXX's cloud-based Pulse platform, which proactively troubleshoots issues with any system and uses big data and predictive analytics to help improve customer service.

"Many businesses and small organisations in the DRC, and across the developing world, do not have a reliable, affordable way of maintaining electricity supply. Hybrid distributed power and micro-grid technology provides one solution to solve this pressing problem by delivering an on-grid experience in an off-grid setting," said Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and co-founder of BBOXX.

"We look forward to working with our technical partners in the future to supply energy and other utility services to more customers across the distribution mix, from small rural homes through to urban SMEs and public institutions, improving productivity and powering economic growth."