North Africa is one of the regions where electricity grids face critical technical and economic challenges due to growing demand for electricity, limited expansion power generation capacity, and a slow transition to renewable energy. In particular, regional distribution grids are unable to guarantee a reliable supply of electricity due to frequent power outages. A stabilised grid through the integration of decentralised energy resources can provide reliable access to energy and reduce the use of unsustainable practices in rural communities (e.g. recourse to diesel generators during power outages). The SWITCH project therefore aims to develop an innovative and holistic solution to stabilise weak grids and improve security of supply in rural areas in Morocco and Algeria. Women, who are particularly affected by the negative effects of the use of traditional technologies, can benefit disproportionately from the targeted security of supply through the integration of renewable energy systems (e.g. agro-PV solutions). In order to realise this potential, women will be involved in the future management of the technologies and the importance of gender-specific project planning will be demonstrated.

WECF provides training and courses, with a focus on women, on sustainable technologies and management skills, as well as economic implementation options (new business models, energy cooperatives). This enables energy technologies to be planned and operated in a gender-responsive way and generating additional income and a long-term positive impact on communities.

• Artificial intelligence
• Renewable energy
• Gender-just transition
• Energy cooperatives

Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Germany

• Technische Universität Ingolstadt (THI)
• University Ain Temouchent (UAT)
• University of Adrar (UA)
• Al Akhawayn University (AUI)
• University Mohammed Premier (UMP)
• Institut National des Postes et Télécommunications (INPT)
• AI Town S.R.L. (AIT)

July 2023 – Juni 2025