Electricity Systems Design for Standalone, Minigrid, Grid-Connected Configurations with Domestic and Flexible Irrigation Loads: A Case Study in Tigray, Ethiopia

Irrigation is critical for increasing food production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but the lack of electricity in rural areas is a significant barrier. This paper investigates electricity system solutions for a cluster of irrigated smallholder farms in Tigray, Ethiopia, detected by a previous advanced model. These areas have suitable conditions for irrigation and clear existing energy demands, making electricity systems likely to succeed. Irrigation loads have flexibility, allowing them to align with solar energy availability and utilize soil water storage over several days. However, irrigation seasonality and the minimum pump power requirements potentially reduce electricity system utilization rates. We used an existing network design model and developed a generation system design model to examine standalone, minigrid, and grid-connected systems. Results show that shared solar systems and the flexibility of irrigation loads are crucial in maintaining low electricity costs. Small-scale minigrids connecting nearby farms ensure efficient system utilization and avoid the high costs associated with constructing regional networks using medium voltage wires and transformers, enhancing their viability under current conditions. These findings can guide infrastructure investments for rural electrification with irrigation loads in SSA.