A Machynlleth based renewable energy company has secured a £2.5 million contract to supply life saving vaccine fridges to remote parts of West Africa.
Dulas, which develops renewable energy solutions to support communities in the most rural parts of the world, has secured a major new deal with several West African countries with the help of Welsh Government support.
The project will see Dulas expand with several projects in projects in Burkina Faso and Guinea, working with local partners for distribution and installation of hundreds of its solar-powered vaccine fridges supporting immunisation programmes across some of the most remote communities in Africa.
Catherine McLennan, commercial lead at Dulas said: “Our success in West Africa has skyrocketed in recent months thanks to our increased presence in those target regions.
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“The support and advice from the Welsh Government has been instrumental to our exporting success. They have helped to raise brand awareness for us in new regions and have provided access to new and relevant market knowledge that have helped us innovate.
“The primary challenge with our exports is the logistical issues of getting our products to their final destinations.
“Our products are needed in the most remote locations and often have to be delivered by plane, boat, truck and even by hand to reach what we refer to as ‘the last mile’.
“It is vital for our business that we have in-country partners with expert local knowledge, and the Welsh Government has helped us to secure new partnerships that allow us to expand our networks and deliver our life-saving products to those that need them the most.”
Dulas' solar powered vaccine fridges in Guinea (Image: Beth Parry Campbell)
The company added that their exports have been strengthened in recent years through research and development support it has received from the Welsh Government to enhance its product portfolio and meet World Health Organisation standards to continue to supply solar vaccine refrigeration systems to communities across the world.
Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language said: “Dulas is a shining example of a Welsh business that is flourishing in overseas markets, while providing vital innovative products including solar powered vaccine fridges to remote locations across the globe including in Latin America and Africa.
“I am pleased that Welsh Government export support provided to the company, as part of our Export Action Plan, has contributed to their success and I was proud to present them with their well-deserved SME Exporter of the Year award at the Wales Business Awards.”
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