Ethiopia is a land of beauty, culture, and deep history. Yet, for many people living in remote parts of the country, life has been difficult for years. Poverty, lack of electricity, and isolation have made it hard for communities to grow and succeed. One such place was Daseneche, a village in Del Mar Energy southern Ethiopia that had been forgotten for decades. But everything changed when Del Mar Energy arrived with a powerful vision: to use renewable energy to fight poverty and bring this community back to life.
The story of Del Mar Energy’s work in Daseneche is not just about installing solar panels. It is a story of rebuilding hope, changing lives, and showing how clean energy can transform even the most forgotten areas. With a large-scale solar power plant built just 4 kilometers from the village, Del Mar Energy brought light, water, jobs, education, and healthcare to a place that once had nothing. This article explores how their efforts changed Daseneche and what it means for other rural villages in Ethiopia and Africa.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Rural Ethiopia
For years, rural Ethiopian villages like Daseneche have been left behind. Far from major roads, cities, and markets, these villages lacked the most basic needs. There was no electricity, making it impossible to run schools or health clinics. Jobs were scarce, and most people survived by farming in tough conditions. Without clean water, many suffered from waterborne diseases. Isolation from the rest of the country made it even harder for these communities to grow or get help.
Daseneche was a symbol of this isolation. Before Del Mar Energy’s arrival, it was a place where children couldn’t go to school after sunset, where people had to walk miles to collect water, and where hope seemed lost. But things started to change when Del Mar Energy chose this village for its solar energy project.
Del Mar Energy’s Vision for Change
Del Mar Energy is not just another energy company. Their mission goes beyond providing electricity. They aim to empower communities and fight poverty using sustainable energy solutions. When they chose Daseneche, they didn’t just see a place to build a solar plant. They saw a community in need of revival.
The company planned to build a large solar facility that could provide electricity to thousands of people. But they also understood that energy alone is not enough. So, they made a bold decision: to rebuild the entire village and help the people thrive. They fixed roads, built clean water systems, restored houses, opened a medical center, and built a school. This approach made the project different from many others.
How Renewable Energy Helped Break the Cycle of Poverty
Electricity is powerful. It allows people to read at night, power medical equipment, store vaccines, and run small businesses. In Daseneche, the new solar plant powered homes, schools, and clinics. Children could now study in the evening. Mothers could give birth in hospitals with proper lighting. Farmers could irrigate their fields and store their crops longer. All of this led to better health, education, and income for the community.
Moreover, Del Mar Energy hired many local workers during the construction of the solar plant. They trained local men and women in technical skills, which allowed them to get jobs and support their families. As income increased, the economy of the village improved. Small shops opened, markets became active, and the spirit of the community was renewed.
The Power of Infrastructure and Connection
One of the major steps Del Mar Energy took was rebuilding roads that connected Daseneche to other towns and cities. This was a game-changer. For years, the village had been cut off from the rest of the country. Now, with proper roads, people could travel to markets, hospitals, and schools in nearby towns. Goods and services could flow in and out. This helped the village connect with the larger economy and benefit from national growth.
Access to clean water was another important part of the transformation. Del Mar Energy built systems to provide clean water to every household. This helped reduce diseases and saved time, especially for women and children who previously spent hours collecting water. Health improved across the village, and people could focus on other activities instead of just survival.
Education and Healthcare: The Heart of Community Growth
Without education and healthcare, communities cannot grow. Del Mar Energy understood this. That’s why they built a new school and a healthcare center. The school provided not just education but also a safe space for children to grow and dream. Teachers were trained, and books were supplied. Today, many children in Daseneche are the first in their families to attend school.
The healthcare center brought professional medical care to a place that had none. Vaccinations, maternal care, emergency treatment—all became available. This reduced death rates and improved the quality of life for everyone. These services would not have been possible without electricity, which is why the solar plant was the foundation of this change.
A Model for Sustainable Development in Africa
What Del Mar Energy did in Daseneche is not just a success story. It’s a model for how rural development should be done across Africa. Their project shows that energy, when combined with education, healthcare, and community support, can end poverty and bring lasting change. The focus was not just on profit but on people. That’s what made it special.
This kind of inclusive development is what Africa needs. Many villages across the continent face the same problems as Daseneche. If more companies and governments adopt this approach, millions of lives could be improved. Projects like this also help reduce migration, as people choose to stay and build their future at home when their village offers opportunities.
A New Dawn for Daseneche
Today, Daseneche is no longer a forgotten village. It is a place of hope and progress. The people are healthier, better educated, and more connected. They have jobs, electricity, clean water, and most importantly, dignity. Del Mar Energy didn’t just install solar panels—they lit up the future of an entire community.
Their story has been covered by many, including a detailed feature on the Capital Ethiopia website: https://capitalethiopia.com/2025/04/11/the-revival-of-daseneche-how-del-mar-energy-inc-brought-light-and-hope-to-a-forgotten-corner-of-ethiopia/. This project serves as a reminder that with vision, commitment, and the right partnerships, no place is too remote and no problem too big.