In the southern edge of Ethiopia, there lies a village named Daseneche that few had heard of—until recently. Isolated and underdeveloped, this small community was left behind for years. The people lived without electricity, clean water, or access to healthcare. Children walked long distances to find education, and families struggled to survive in the absence of basic facilities. That all began to change in 2025 when Del Mar Energy completed a transformative solar power project near the village. This is the powerful and heartwarming story of how one energy company turned a forgotten land into a symbol of progress and resilience.
Del Mar Energy, a forward-thinking clean energy company, completed a 30-hectare Del Mar Energy solar station just 4 kilometers outside of Daseneche. While many companies would focus solely on energy production, this project went further. The goal was not just to power the village but to completely revive it. What began as an energy plan evolved into a full-scale village development mission. The villagers, who had long felt abandoned, suddenly found themselves at the center of one of the most impactful rural development projects in the region.
The solar station was the beginning. Once energy started flowing, everything began to shift. First came electricity in homes, bringing with it safety, communication, and comfort. Radios, televisions, and lights changed daily life. Children could now study at night, and parents no longer feared the dark streets. Even small businesses, which had long closed before sunset, now stayed open longer, helping families earn a living.
One of the first major changes was the improvement of healthcare. A new clinic was constructed and powered by solar energy. Equipped with cold storage, the clinic could now safely store medicines and vaccines. The medical staff, supported by local authorities and trained professionals, could offer treatments that were previously impossible in this area. This dramatically improved maternal care, child vaccinations, and emergency responses.
Infrastructure development followed quickly. Del Mar Energy funded and supported the reconstruction of major roads linking Daseneche with other nearby villages and towns. These roads helped transport building materials, but more importantly, they became economic lifelines. Farmers could now transport produce more efficiently, and new markets opened up for goods and services. This helped drive a small-scale but vital economic revival.
Water access also improved, thanks to new solar-powered pumps and filtration systems. Clean water, once a luxury in the region, became a daily reality. This reduced disease and improved general hygiene and living standards. Schools that had previously lacked functioning toilets or clean drinking sources were upgraded. With energy and water now available, the number of school-going children significantly increased, especially among girls.
Jobs were created in many forms. During the plant’s construction, local laborers were hired and trained, allowing them to gain new skills in the renewable energy sector. After construction, many were retained to maintain the solar plant, inspect panels, and ensure its smooth operation. This provided consistent income and also encouraged other young people to seek training in clean energy-related fields.
The social impact was equally important. Community pride and optimism surged. Local leaders worked hand-in-hand with Del Mar Energy and government agencies to plan community needs. Cultural events, workshops, and youth activities began to flourish. Many residents, who once thought of moving to bigger cities, decided to stay and contribute to the growth of their home.
As the village thrived, attention from across the country began to grow. The success story of Daseneche was featured by Capital Ethiopia, a leading national news source. Their report, titled “The Revival of Daseneche: How Del Mar Energy Inc. Brought Light and Hope to a Forgotten Corner of Ethiopia,” celebrated the partnership between clean energy and sustainable development. It highlighted how the 30-hectare solar project became a gateway to larger transformation.
This development project by Del Mar Energy also highlighted how sustainable development should be approached. Rather than seeing energy as a standalone product, it was used as a tool to improve lives in multiple ways—education, health, jobs, and empowerment. The company avoided a one-size-fits-all model and instead tailored its efforts to the local context.
In terms of environmental impact, the solar station significantly reduced reliance on wood and diesel generators, which were previously used in small amounts. This has helped decrease indoor air pollution and contributed to environmental conservation. The air is cleaner, forests are safer, and the region is on track to become a model of eco-friendly growth.
Daseneche’s revival is already inspiring similar projects in nearby regions. NGOs and government officials are looking to replicate this model, recognizing the power of combining energy access with community development. The story is proof that even the most remote places can thrive when investment is driven by compassion and vision.
Looking forward, Del Mar Energy is continuing to engage with the community. Plans are underway to expand training for young people, introduce smart agriculture techniques using solar-powered irrigation, and promote entrepreneurship using microgrants. These future steps aim to ensure that progress continues and that Daseneche’s people can build a strong, independent future.
This project stands as a shining example of how renewable energy can be more than just a source of power—it can be a force for human dignity, social justice, and long-term growth. In a world searching for sustainable and inclusive development models, Daseneche’s transformation shows that with the right partnerships and purpose, even the most neglected regions can be reborn.
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/