• Off-grid solar provider d.light and impact investor African Frontier Capital partner on new financing to support consumer loans for solar and high efficiency appliances in East Africa

17 July 2024: d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, today announced the closing of a new securitization facility that will purchase USD$176 million of receivables in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The new financing is being provided by social impact-focused asset management company African Frontier Capital.

d.light will use the facility to scale up its PayGo consumer finance offering to make solar-powered products available to more low-income households and communities without access to electricity. The facility is multi-currency and will enable access to reliable, renewable energy for an estimated six million people across the three countries over the next three years.

With this new facility, d.light has now closed securitized financing with a total combined purchasing value of USD$718 million across five separate facilities since 2020.

Commenting on the news, d.light CEO Nedjip Tozun said, “This new facility is another landmark step in d.light’s mission to provide people with affordable energy that is also clean, safe and sustainable. It lets us expand our reach so that millions of off-grid families across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda can experience the benefits of solar energy.

“Facilities like this make possible our pioneering PayGo consumer financing model with which we are able to offer solar home systems and high efficiency appliances to the people that need them most in a way that is affordable and sustainable.”

Tozun continued, “With this new facility, d.light has for the first time in its history receivables-based financing facilities in each of our PayGo markets – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria. These facilities allow d.light to remain consistently cash flow positive and remove the requirement for further external equity fundraising to fund our growth.”

d.light has a proven track record in the use of securitized finance to support its solar-powered household products in sub-Saharan Africa. It has previously set up four facilities, beginning in 2020 and including two in Kenya and one each in Nigeria and Tanzania. The combined purchasing value of these existing facilities plus the new facility is USD$718 million.

Earlier this year, in February, d.light announced that its USD$110 million securitization facility, Brighter Life Kenya 1 Limited (BLK1) successfully repaid its entire senior debt in full and ahead of schedule from internally generated cash flows – the first facility in the off-grid solar sector to do so.

d.light has been working with distribution partners in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania since 2010, and has had its own operations in Kenya since 2011, in Uganda since 2015 and in Tanzania since 2016.

Eric De Moudt, AFC’s founder and CEO, said, “This milestone is a testament to how data-driven financial innovation can play an important role in bringing financial inclusion to the world’s most vulnerable communities, helping them to gain access to clean and modern energy and the ensuing social and economic benefits that come about as a result. We are grateful to d.light for its ongoing leadership in the off-grid solar sector and proud to partner with such a visionary company.”

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About d.light: Founded in 2007 at Stanford in California, d.light is a global leader in making transformative products available and affordable to low-income families. d.light has sold nearly 30 million products, including solar lanterns, solar home systems, TVs, radios, and smartphones, impacting the lives of over 150 million people. Our vision is to transform the lives of one billion people with sustainable products by 2030. For more information, visit: www.dlight.com.

About AFC: African Frontier Capital (Mauritius) LLC and its subsidiary companies are a dedicated impact investment group focused on bringing financial inclusion to people living at the bottom of the pyramid in a socially and environmentally sustainable way. For more information, visit: www.africanfrontiercapital.com.

10 July 2024: Cultiver Group (www.cultivergroup.co.za), a Cape Town-based sustainability consultancy, today launched ENGAGE!, a community engagement platform that ensures authentic inclusivity and minimises social risk for large scale renewables, mining and other infrastructure projects. After one year of successful pilot implementations for global clean energy leader, Enel Green Power’s 147 MW Karusa and 147 MW Soetwater Wind Farms, the solution is now available for wider rollout to large-scale project developers and mines in South Africa and the rest of southern Africa.

“While mining, renewable energy, and infrastructure projects are vital for economic development and community upliftment, marginalised communities often remain excluded from the benefits of these projects and are vulnerable to potential negative impacts,” said Fezeka Stuurman, CEO of Cultiver Group.

“In turn, mismanaged or insufficient community engagement is a leading cause of project-related social unrest, project delays, development and construction delays and profit losses for project owners. ENGAGE! bridges the gap between large public and private projects and local communities, ensuring that projects advance in a manner that is truly inclusive, just, and socially responsible.”

The tech-supported ENGAGE! platform offers a toll-free number and trained community ambassadors through which community members can voice project-related concerns, challenges, or inquiries in any of the 11 official languages. In developing the platform, Cultiver Group drew from more than a decade of experience working on-the-ground with communities and providing innovative and impactful solutions to social challenges for clients, including Enel, Scatec, Implats and Conservation SA, among others.

The pilots show that the platform enhances project and community interactions significantly. It raises community awareness of project benefits, such as job creation and sustainable development, while also improving relationships between all project stakeholders, including communities, project owners, and local organisations like municipalities and nonprofits. This fosters improved engagement on all project-related matters, enhancing overall project execution and community satisfaction.

Additionally, by acting as both an advocacy and information-sharing tool, ENGAGE! reduces social risk and opens up opportunities for community members. It equips project owners with actionable insights that enhance social impact, enterprise development, and ESG initiatives. This holistic approach bolsters relationships with existing stakeholders and also attracts new partnerships, thereby strengthening the social fabric around large infrastructure projects.

“At the Laingsburg Thusong Centre we know the importance of serving the needs of rural communities, building connections and giving a voice to individuals who might be unheard, in order to promote the resilience and prosperity of the community. The ENGAGE! platform has provided the community with great support and indispensable resources, narrowing the gap and strengthening the relationship between communities and infrastructure project owners to help advance economic development efforts,” said Shirene Gouws, Senior Clerk, Thusong Centre, Laingsburg.

“ENGAGE! is an innovative tech-supported platform that really excites me. By enabling the real-time lodging of information and grievances, it can strengthen project owners’ relationships with communities and complement engagement strategies in natural resource-based businesses for better social performance,” said Dr. Holle Wlokas, Co-founder & Managing Director, Initiative for Social Performance in Renewable Energy (INSPIRE), NPC.

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About ENGAGE!: The ENGAGE! platform offers several innovative features designed to ensure comprehensive community support and effective communication between project developers and local communities. Available at no cost to host communities, the platform operates a toll-free number, accessible from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30, allowing community members to voice concerns, challenges, or inquiries. Community members can communicate in any of the 11 official languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

Adhering to ISO principles, ENGAGE! guarantees transparency, fairness, and integrity in all interactions. Additionally, the platform employs specially trained ambassadors who are embedded within the communities to act as liaisons, enhancing effectiveness. These ambassadors help to maintain a secure, unbiased, and inclusive communication channel. For project owners, ENGAGE! provides reliable, evidence-based insights through regular community engagement reports, which aid in proactive and informed decision-making. Furthermore, the platform ensures that urgent matters are immediately escalated through appropriate channels, helping to minimise risks and build trust within the community.

About Cultiver: Cultiver is a sustainability consulting and advisory house that works with private and public sector projects to create sustainable, equitable, innovative solutions to community-related challenges. With a focus on the inclusion of underserved communities, primarily in the Just Energy Transition, through stakeholder engagement, community and enterprise development, capacity building, research and advisory services, Cultiver clients include mines, independent power producers, nonprofits, and financial and academic institutions.

5 July 2024: Stichting Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa) is illuminating the path towards a brighter future for underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the organization announced its intention to award a total of USD 5.6 million in results-based financing (RBF) grants to three green mini-grid (GMG) developers: OnePower, KUDURA, and EP. These grants will unlock approximately 10,221 green mini-grid connections, bringing clean and reliable electricity to residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Benin, and northern Kenya.

Powering Diverse Communities with Green Mini-Grids

Expanding Benin’s Energy Landscape: OnePower (1PWR), a leader in solar minigrid development, received an RBF grant of up to USD 672,000 to establish 1,120 connections in Kotokpa and Aglamidjodji, Benin. Building on the success of their initial projects, OnePower plans to construct a large-scale portfolio of 68 minigrids across Benin. Beyond household electrification, these projects aim to enhance critical services at educational and healthcare facilities, while boosting the productivity of women-owned businesses.

Championing Electrification for All in Turkana County: KUDURA Power East Africa Ltd (KUDURA) secured an RBF grant of up to USD 2.8 million to illuminate the lives of 5,600 residents in Turkana County, Kenya. This expansion builds upon KUDURA’s successful presence of 11 GMG sites serving over 4,000 customers in Busia County. In Turkana, KUDURA is constructing another 21 mini-grids, co-funded by RVE.SOL S.A. (Portugal) and InfraCo Africa (UK). According to KUDURA Founder Vivian Vendeirinho, the developer seeks to “accelerate progress towards meeting the Turkana County Government’s rural electrification goals,” while also extending a critical lifeline – reliable, affordable electricity – to the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Empowering a Remote Town in the DRC: EP, a pioneering decentralized energy infrastructure company, received an RBF grant of up to USD 2.1 million to unlock 3,501 connections in Bulungu, DRC. This project will install a 400 kWp solar PV and 1,000 kWh battery system, aiming to unlock the potential of Bulungu, a remote town of 140,000 inhabitants heavily reliant on farming and fishing for livelihoods. Currently lacking reliable energy sources, EP’s project promises to provide uninterrupted power to homes, the town’s sole hospital, a large water pump, and small milling activities. Dario Fallara, CEO of EP Assetco DRC, emphasized their enthusiasm to “meet the massive demand for reliable and affordable energy in Bulungu.”

CEI Africa has allocated EUR 21 million to support project developers financing GMGs through RBF, along with technical assistance. This latest round of RBF funding expands CEI Africa’s support to include Mali, DRC, and Benin. With additional funding anticipated in 2024, further expansion is planned for Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and other countries.

The three RBF grant awards are pursuant to fulfillment of certain conditions precedent agreed to between CEI Africa, OnePower, KUDURA and EP, respectively. The RBF grant funding will be disbursed upon completion of new electricity connections.

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About CEI Africa: CEI Africa was established by the German development finance institution KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2021 to improve access to energy for rural and peri-urban households and enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa. CEI Africa is managed by Triple Jump B.V., Persistent, and GreenMax Capital Group. It is a one-stop shop for mini-grid developers and other off-grid energy companies, offering a variety of financing instruments. The implementation of the Foundation’s Crowdlending window, which provides debt and investment products in collaboration with European Crowdlenders, is led by Persistent. CEI Africa has allocated EUR 28M to support off-grid energy companies and mini-grid project developers through co-financing with Crowdlenders, including the provision of Technical Assistance. GreenMax manages the Results-based and impact-based financing window, offering results-based financing grants and forgivable loans.

About OnePower: OnePower (1PWR) is a leader in solar minigrid development, bringing clean and affordable electricity to underserved communities. They boast a well-established presence in Lesotho and a growing portfolio in Benin. OnePower’s expansion plans aim to electrify 68 communities, impacting over 100,000 people.

About KUDURA Power East Africa Ltd: KUDURA Power East Africa Ltd (KUDURA) is a social-for-profit minigrid developer operating in rural East Africa. Their mission extends beyond simply providing electricity. KUDURA offers a multi-utility service model, transforming economies and lifestyles through access to clean, reliable energy. With operations in Busia and Turkana counties, KUDURA is on track to serve over 30,000 metered consumers by 2026.

About EP Assetco DRC: EP Assetco DRC, a joint venture between Equatorial Power, a next-generation developer and operator of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) infrastructure, and Infraco Africa, a developer of infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, is committed to co-developing, building, and operating isolated hybrid solar systems across the DRC. Their innovative business model focuses on the productive use of electricity to empower communities.

4 July 2024: Odyssey Energy Solutions, an end-to-end platform for financing, procuring solar equipment, and operating distributed solar assets, announces a new credit offering, Construction Credit, designed for solar companies.

Construction Credit addresses a significant challenge faced by EPCs and developers: the need for upfront capital to procure equipment and execute projects. Construction Credit provides solar companies with off-balance sheet working capital that aligns with their project payment milestones, giving EPCs and developers the working capital they need to procure equipment and deliver projects, with the flexibility to make repayments once the project is commissioned.

Maxime Eon, Odyssey’s Vice President of Revenue explains, “having spent a decade of my career as a developer, I know the frustration of trying to line-up the right capital to cover equipment costs, months – or years – before the end-client pays. Construction Credit aims to fill the gap, making it possible for solar companies to take on more projects.”

To begin, solar companies can access credit of up to $5M per project, with a 15-50% downpayment. Interest rates are determined on a project-by-project basis. Once a solar company has been onboarded to the Construction Credit platform, they can access on-demand credit for additional projects.

This credit solution was presented as part of the World Economic Forum’s South Africa Energy Transition working group, a unique public-private collection of 50+ energy and finance experts who collaborated to identify barriers to clean energy investments and surface policy, and non-policy solutions to increase the flow of clean energy capital for South Africa. You can learn more about Construction Credit here.

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About Odyssey Energy Solutions: Odyssey Energy Solutions is a climate tech company transforming distributed energy globally with the goal of bringing low-carbon power to the 3.5 billion people worldwide whose electricity needs are unserved or underserved. Odyssey offers an end-to-end solution to finance, procure equipment for, and operate distributed energy projects at scale across the globe. The company is facilitating more than $1.6B of finance into the sector, delivering tools and services to over 2,600 developers and is backed by leading investors. For more information, visit: odysseyenergysolutions.com.

1 July 2024: Trinasolar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, participated in the Africa Energy Forum held in Barcelona, Spain, from June 25-28, 2024. This premier event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of energy in Africa. Trinasolar's sponsorship underscores its commitment to supporting sustainable energy development across the continent.

Zaheer Khan, Trinasolar's Regional Director for South Africa, was a distinguished speaker at the exclusive Corporate Leadership Roundtable titled "Energy Systems of the Future – Balancing Africa's Needs with Global Goals." This pivotal discussion, attended by over 40 industry experts, addressed critical topics such as increasing the scale and pace of projects and investment in Africa, the role of decarbonization policies in enhancing private sector participation in energy-intensive industries, and the impact of global climate goals on Africa's investment capabilities for its future.

Trinasolar's comprehensive solar solutions are designed to meet these challenges head-on. The company's portfolio includes industry-leading Vertex N modules with advanced n-type i-TOPCon technology and 210mm product technology platform, the state-of-the-art TrinaTracker system, and cutting-edge energy storage solutions. These innovations ensure optimal performance and adaptability to varying project requirements, providing reliable, cost-effective, and scalable solar solutions. Trinasolar aims to significantly advance the solar energy sector in Africa, facilitating the continent's transition to renewable energy and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Zaheer Khan commented: "Trinasolar is thrilled to participate in this influential forum and contribute to the dialogue on Africa's energy future. South Africa is a key market for Trinasolar, and the company is dedicated to advancing solar energy solutions that not only meet the growing energy demands but also align with global sustainability goals. Trinasolar's latest innovations in solar technology are designed to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and support the continent's transition to renewable energy."

With abundant solar resources and a strong need for sustainable energy solutions, South Africa is poised to be a leader in solar energy deployment. Trinasolar's advanced photovoltaic (PV) technologies and comprehensive energy solutions are tailored to meet the unique energy challenges and opportunities in South Africa. Trinasolar's participation at the Africa Energy Forum will provide a platform to showcase the company's latest products, foster partnerships, and engage with stakeholders to drive the renewable energy agenda forward.

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About Trinasolar: Founded in 1997, Trinasolar Co Ltd (stock symbol: Trinasolar; stock code: 688599) is engaged mainly in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy comprises mainly PV power generation and operations and maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. We are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future.

On June 10, 2020, Trinasolar was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE). It was the first PV and energy storage company to go public on the STAR Market providing PV products and systems, as well as smart energy. For more information, visit: www.trinasolar.com.

26 June 2024: ENGIE Energy Access, Africa’s leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grid solutions provider, has officially commenced the construction of 15 solar mini-grids in Zambia’s Eastern Province. This initiative is a crucial part of the transformative Increase Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) programme, funded by the 11th European Development Fund and the European Union.

By expanding the adoption of off-grid energy solutions in Zambia, ENGIE Energy Access will provide reliable electricity to underserved families and small businesses, creating economic growth and increasing socio-economic welfare in local communities.

MySol Grid Zambia, a unit of ENGIE Energy Access, is responsible for constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining these mini-grids. This ensures that residential, commercial, and productive-use customers have access to dependable and renewable power along with value-adding services.

“We are excited to announce this significant milestone, which brings ENGIE Energy Access closer to achieving its goal of operating 60 mini-grids across five provinces in Zambia. This project supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, by delivering affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean energy to 40,000 people living in rural areas. Our work is an important element of the national electrification plans, and we are committed to collaborating with the authorities to expand energy access and promote sustainable development in Zambia,” said Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of ENGIE Energy Access.

The first sites in this groundbreaking project include: Lusinde, Kandongwa, Nyimba Mwana, Chidiwa, Chataika, Kanyanga, Petulo, Kasamba, Chidiwa, Mphole, Mung’omba, Kalambana, Mtore, Kondwelani, Lunga, and Luamphande and are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2024.

In 2023, MySol Grid Zambia signed a USD 7.5 million debt facility with Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), managed by Cygnum Capital. This funding will provide the company with the necessary resources and flexibility to construct a total of 60 mini-grids under the IAEREP programme. This is a significant step for the mini-grid sector, with these assets having attracted non-recourse long-term financing.

ENGIE Energy Access established its presence in Zambia in 2017. It currently has over 250 employees, 650 independent sales agents, and more than 60 points of presence across the country. The company has sold over 300,000 shs kits and has 1 mini-grid operational in Chitandika.

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About ENGIE Energy Access: ENGIE Energy Access is the leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa. The company develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGO solar home systems are financed through affordable instalments and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1,800 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), 2.5 million customers and more than 12.5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to impact 20 million lives across Africa by 2025. For more information, visit: engie-energyaccess.com.

25 June 2024: Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Maintenance Agreement covering 169,5 MW of power generation for two Moroccan power plants. The plants are owned and operated by the Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau potable (ONEE), Morocco's public utility in charge of the production, transport and distribution of electricity. This agreement is a renewal of a previous five-year contract for the power plants in Tan Tan and Dakhla, in southern Morocco. Each of these two emergency plants operates with Wärtsilä 46 engines.

The scope of the agreement includes supply of spare parts, major overhauls, and full technical support. It takes effect in Q1, 2024, and will minimise the total cost of ownership of the plants' Wärtsilä assets.

"Our customers value maintenance agreements as they ensure the efficiency, reliability and availability of the power plants. We are proud to have been awarded a renewal of this agreement and continue our long-term relationship with ONEE," comments Patrick Borstner, Director, Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.

The Tan Tan and Dakhla plants are expected to be used to balance renewable energy production with sustainable fuels. Morocco is utilising an increasingly large share of renewable energy, and the Wärtsilä engine technology can reach full output in a matter of minutes to balance the intermittent supply of renewables. Morocco also has an ambitious hydrogen development plan, for which the Wärtsilä engines could be converted to operate with eventually.

ONEE is a long-established customer for Wärtsilä, and has, among its large number of production assets, two power plants operating with Wärtsilä engines in Tan Tan and Dakhla.

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About Wärtsilä Energy: Wärtsilä Energy leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our partners to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system modelling expertise. These cover decarbonisation services, future-fuel enabled balancing power plants, hybrid solutions, energy storage and optimisation technology, including the GEMS Digital Energy Platform. Wärtsilä Energy's lifecycle services are designed to increase efficiency, promote reliability and guarantee operational performance. Our track record comprises 79 GW of power plant capacity and 125 energy storage systems delivered to 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit: www.wartsila.com/energy.

20 June 2024: An enterprising team of students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria has clinched the Gold Award in a major clean energy technology competition with their solar power management and diagnostics invention.

Judges were impressed with the students’ Solar Sentry project which uses machine learning and real-time monitoring to track power and voltage, leading to early detection of issues and optimised performance of solar panels and batteries.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, now in its fifth year, encourages students from around the world to help improve the quality of life for communities with underdeveloped or non-existent electricity grids.

Globally, around *759 million individuals lack access to electricity, the majority of them concentrated in the Global South.

Silver Award winners were Strathmore University, Kenya for their solar-powered smart cereal dryer along with Independent University of Bangladesh for their solar-powered gear pump. Students from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria took home a Bronze Award for their solar-powered cold room. Gulu University, Uganda were double winners, scooping two Bronze Awards for their solar-powered water disinfection system and a solar UV sterile storage unit for medical equipment.

A joint entry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria and Tribhuvan University in Nepal was awarded Bronze for a solar-powered milking machine. And a Bronze Award went to University of Rwanda for their automated solar-powered cooling appliance for fresh produce.

The competition attracts aspiring students from around the globe, many hoping to pursue careers in renewable energy once they graduate. This year over one hundred young people from Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, the UK and Zimbabwe took part.

All participating teams must ensure their solution contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy and meets the criteria for innovation, sustainability, social impact and scalability.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is delivered by research and development innovators, Efficiency for Access, in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK and funded with UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform and the IKEA Foundation.

Rob MacIver, Energy Innovation Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “All entrants deserve to be commended for developing sustainable energy technologies that not only address the pressing issue of energy access but will also contribute significantly to our global efforts to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. These projects highlight the potential for clean energy innovations to drive substantial progress towards a more sustainable and resilient future.”

Jolanda van Ginkel, Programme Manager Renewable Energy, IKEA Foundation said, “It’s inspiring to see such a range of creative and practical ideas from these young innovators. The social impact of these projects cannot be overstated and is very much aligned with the IKEA Foundation’s commitment to help create better everyday lives for the many people through access to renewable energy.”

Mike Thornton, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust, joint coordinators of Efficiency for Access said: “The breadth of innovative solutions submitted by students to address real world issues, is impressive. Equipping young people with the skills to develop and implement groundbreaking technologies is essential for driving progress towards a sustainable future.”

*[source: SEfor All SDG7 targets]

• This partnership will mobilize investments through innovative financing solutions to scale up private sector-led clean energy generation and distribution in Nigeria.

11 June 2024: RMI, founded as Rocky Mountain Institute, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), a globally focused investment institution set up to receive, manage, and invest funds on behalf of the Nigerian Federation, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to progress climate finance, develop clean energy projects, and propel the broader energy transition goals in Nigeria.

This landmark agreement is set to pave the way for financing clean energy projects in Nigeria, with a particular focus on scaling up private sector-led initiatives in renewable energy generation and distribution, including solar minigrids, embedded generation, battery energy storage systems, e-mobility, and productive use of energy projects in the agriculture value chain.

This strategic partnership is a critical step towards a sustainable future for Nigeria and sets another precedent for collaborative efforts in climate action and energy transition globally. The objectives of the MoU include:

1. Mobilization of climate finance: Jointly mobilize and channel funds towards initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and foster sustainable economic growth.
2. Advancement of clean energy projects: Collaborate on the development and execution of clean energy projects, including solar and other renewable energy sources, to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply in
3. Acceleration of energy transition: Implement strategies to accelerate Nigeria’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon footprints.
4. Capacity building and knowledge exchange: Promote the exchange of expertise and best practices between NSIA and RMI, including technical support, workshops, and joint research initiatives to build local capacity in climate finance and clean energy technologies.
5. Project development and implementation: Identify and support high-impact projects that align with Nigeria’s climate and energy objectives, including renewable energy infrastructure, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable transportation solutions.

While speaking at the signing ceremony, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the managing director and chief executive officer of NSIA shared that “this MoU is another indication of our commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for Nigeria. Partnering with RMI enables us to harness international expertise and innovative approaches to climate finance and energy transition. Together, we will deliver impactful climate adaptive solutions that stimulate economic growth. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to unlock substantial investment opportunities and implement transformative energy projects that will benefit the people and the environment.”

RMI CEO Jon Creyts expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Catalyzing climate finance for the energy transition demands a united front. Collaboration should not be seen as a choice but a necessity in realizing our commitment to close the energy access gap in Nigeria. RMI stands resolute in its dedication to working hand in hand with NSIA forging a sustainable future together.”

Ije Ikoku Okeke, RMI managing director of Catalytic Climate Capital and the Global South, added, “accessible, low-cost local currency finance is the cornerstone of scaling decentralized energy resources in Nigeria and achieving our energy transition targets. By fostering an environment where financing is affordable and aligned with local needs, we empower the people, drive economic growth, and accelerate the shift towards a sustainable energy landscape. Signing this MoU with NSIA marks a crucial step towards accelerating the transition, and we are poised to unlock significant capital, catalyzing sustainable solutions that not only combat climate change but also drive socio-economic progress.”

Suleiman Babamanu, RMI Nigeria program director emphasized, “Empowering Nigeria’s renewable energy revolution and energy transition requires more than just vision — it demands accessible and affordable local currency financing. By combining RMI’s expertise in transforming energy with NSIA’s commitment to local currency financing, we are not only building a greener tomorrow but also empowering local communities to thrive. Together, we are redefining what’s possible and proving that sustainable energy solutions can be both environmentally friendly and financially viable.”

The partnership signifies a significant step toward realizing Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions and accelerating supply of bankable projects through preferred financial investment instruments while addressing the challenges of climate change.

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About NSIA: The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) manages Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund with a focus on building a savings base for future generations, enhancing infrastructure development in Nigeria, and promoting fiscal stability in times of economic stress. NSIA invests in a diversified portfolio to generate sustainable long-term returns and support national development goals through its three ring-fenced funds, the Stabilization Fund, the Future Generations Fund, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund. For more information, visit: www.nsia.com.ng.

About RMI: JRMI, founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, is an independent nonprofit that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut climate pollution at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; Abuja, Nigeria; and Beijing. For more information, visit: www.rmi.org.

5 June 2024: Today, Empower New Energy, in collaboration with its technical partners, Powercell Limited and Huawei, announces the commissioning of a pioneering rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and battery energy storage system (BESS) for Justrite Superstores, the leading neighbourhood retail supermarket chain in Nigeria. This installation, the first of its kind in the West African supermarket chain space, represents a total investment of US$6.5 million, fully financed by Empower. Commemorating this significant achievement, a formal inauguration ceremony was held, which was attended by His Excellency Mr. Svein Bæra, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, as well as Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, ably represented by Mr. Ayodele Alamu and other distinguished guests from the Lagos state government and the private sector.

The systems commissioned include solar PV and battery energy storage systems at two of Justrite’s retail locations in Lagos State: Abule Egba and Ikorodu. The Abule Egba site features a 270 kWp solar installation paired with a 600 kWh battery system, while the Ikorodu site boasts a 400 kWp solar array and an 800 kWh battery storage system. All installations are equipped with ComAp’s smart energy management technologies, which facilitate the seamless integration and operation of the solar panels with other power sources. The openings at the two sites are part of an ongoing larger project, already in progress, to install similar systems across a total of ten Justrite Superstore branches. The complete project spans Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, totalling a capacity of 3,050 kWp of solar PV and 6,000 kWh of battery storage. The solarisation of all ten Superstores, estimated to secure about 400 jobs directly and indirectly, will be completed by the end of July this year.

Each year, the installed systems will generate approximately 5.3 GWh of clean electricity, meeting up to 85% of the total energy needs for the ten Justrite Superstore branches. This energy production will allow Justrite to reduce its carbon emissions by about 2,453 tonnes annually, amounting to roughly 61,347 tonnes over the system's lifetime. Given that energy production is responsible for 60% of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), these reductions align with Nigeria's commitment under the Paris Agreement to achieve a 47% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030. Through this first-of-its-kind solar + battery initiative, largely replacing energy from diesel gensets, Justrite Superstores showcases the significant role that Nigeria’s Commercial and Industrial sectors can play in Nigeria’s energy transition.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Chairman of Justrite, noted, “The decision to switch to solar power and battery storage came from seeing our electricity costs rise year after year, eating into the heart of our business. It’s been very challenging to grapple with unreliable grid power and soaring diesel prices. ”. He went further: “This transition marks a new chapter for Justrite, an example I hope other chain stores will consider —not just for their own benefit but also as a step towards Nigeria’s sustainable growth”.

Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy, also commented, “We have been thrilled to work with the pioneering and visionary grocery chain, Justrite, to see West Africa’s first-of-its-kind solar + battery plant of this scale for a retail business come to life. Despite its complexities, it took less than eight months for Empower and its technical partners, Powercell and Huawei, to bring the project through the stages of contracting, detailed design, procurement, import certification, construction, and commissioning. This project shows the powerful role that decentralised solar investments in the C & I sector can play for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to meet its sustainability targets”

“In a time when Nigeria urgently needs foreign investments to implement its economic and energy transition, we are extremely happy and proud to see Empower New Energy leading the way through this innovative investment here in Nigeria. Renewable energy is a winner for business, the environment and climate. This project further strengthens the partnership between our two nations,” said Svein Bæra, Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria.

“Energy is the foundation of industry and commerce development in Nigeria. Renewable energy such as photovoltaic has ushered in the best development era. Huawei Digital Power helps Justrite build the first green supermarket in Nigeria and even in West Africa. We will also provide the high-quality, high-reliability, and high- security smart PV and energy storage system solutions for Nigeria. This solution will help many companies greatly reduce the cost of fuel and improve the stability and safety of electricity production,” said Jie Lu, Huawei Nigeria CEO & Chairman.

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About Empower New Energy: Empower New Energy is a renewable energy financier and co-developer that finances, builds and owns solar power plants for commercial and industrial energy users across Africa. The company is supported by Norfund and CFM’s Climate Investor One blended finance facility, co-funded by the European Union, which significantly enhances the company's capacity to advance sustainable energy solutions across the African continent. For more information, visit: www.empowernewenergy.com.

About Justrite Superstores: Justrite Superstores, founded in 2001 by Dr. and Mrs. Aderinwale and Mrs. Omoboye, is Nigeria’s leading family-owned retail department store chain. Serving the Southwestern Region of Nigeria with 18 stores, Justrite offers a wide range of everyday essentials to consumers in underserved neighbourhoods, supporting local products and domestic agricultural value chains. For more information, visit: https://justriteonline.com.

About Powercell Limited: Powercell is a leading privately owned power systems company established in 2005 in Lagos, Nigeria, and the foremost renewable energy solutions provider in Nigeria. For more information, visit: https://powercelllimited.com.

About Huawei Digital Power: Huawei Digital Power is a leading global provider of digital power products and solutions. We are committed to integrating digital and power electronics technologies, developing clean power, and enabling energy digitalization to drive energy revolution for a better, greener future. In the clean power generation sector, we help create new power systems that primarily rely on renewable energy. In the mobility electrification sector, we enhance the consumer driving and charging experience in electric vehicles (EVs), accelerating green traveling. In the green ICT power infrastructure sector, we help build green, low-carbon, and intelligent data centres and communications networks. Huawei Digital Power continues innovating through open collaboration with global partners to promote carbon neutrality. Huawei Digital Power serves more than three billion people across more than 170 countries and regions.

5 June 2024: Ignite Power, a leading pan-African provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of a groundbreaking tender for the procurement of 500,000 Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions, including Solar Home Systems (SHS) and Solar Inverters, to cater its growing operations across the SSA region. This initiative marks a significant step towards advancing clean energy access across East and West Africa, empowering communities with reliable and affordable solar solutions.

Having witnessed exponential growth and expansion across multiple geographical territories across the SSA region, Ignite aims to connect 100 million people across Africa by 2030. In the past year, Ignite has completed 3 strategic acquisitions, entering high-potential markets including Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, substantially increasing its Total Available Market and bringing the ambitious goal of connecting 100 million people within reach.

In light of this recent expansion and the anticipated growth trajectory, Ignite is embarking on a structured procurement process, with the objective of procuring 500,000 SHS and solar inverters for its diverse market expansion in both East and West sub-Saharan Africa.

“This tender represents our dedication to expanding access to clean and sustainable energy solutions in underserved communities, everywhere” said Yariv Cohen, Ignite Power’s CEO. “We tirelessly strive to broaden our impact, extend our offerings, and serve more communities in various countries. Achieving our ambitious goals requires strategic partnerships and collaborations, which is precisely our aim with this tender.”

Distributed Renewable Energy solutions have emerged as the most sustainable, affordable, and scalable solution for large-scale electrification projects. In SSA, harnessing the abundant and accessible resource of sunlight has already brought clean, safe, and reliable electricity to millions for the first time. With over 600 million people still lacking access to electricity, solar home systems and inverters are poised to play a pivotal role in Africa’s electrification endeavors.

“Africa’s solar revolution is on the cusp of profound growth and impact in the coming years,” says Cohen. “Being the leading last-mile operation and execution platform in the solar sector, we invite ambitious suppliers who share our vision to participate in this tender and join us in charting the course toward a greener, more sustainable, and inclusive future.”

The deadline for submission of an Expression of Interest is Jun 15, 2024 (7:00 pm GST). For more information on the tender and how to participate, please visit https://ignite-power.com/open-international-tender-2024/.

29 May 2024: d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, has partnered with global telecom operator Orange to open up access to d.light’s range of low-cost solar products for customers in 11 African countries.

d.light solar-powered products, including solar home systems, solar inverters, TVs, fans, and portable solar torches, are available to Orange customers via its Orange Smart Energies platform.

The partnership is already up and running in Ivory Coast, where Orange has thirty million customers, and also Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It will expand into a further five African countries in which Orange operates – Senegal, Mali, Burkino Faso, Guinea, and the Central African Republic (CAR).

d.light products are available at Orange’s own stores and also its partner retail outlets and sales agents. Customers can pay using the Orange Money service, allowing them to make purchases via “Pay As You Go” (PAYG).

Commenting on the partnership, d.light CEO Nick Imudia, said, “Mobile operators are natural partners for off-grid solar providers like d.light as they have the scale and the resources to reach rural communities in remote locations which are not connected to the energy grid. In addition, operator billing-based mobile money services like Orange Money give low-income households the flexibility to make payments for solar products as and when they can afford to do so. People can access affordable renewable solar energy solutions via simple mobile prepayment.”

Imudia continued, “According to the International Energy Agency, in 2022 600 million people in Africa were without access to electricity. The impacts of the global pandemic and the international energy crisis combined to slow down and obstruct the progress that had been made in recent years to improve electricity access across the continent. There is still much work to do to extend availability of reliable, affordable electricity to low-income households and off-grid communities in Africa so that many more people can benefit from the improved living standards, opportunities and economic development that it enables.”

Imudia concluded, “d.light’s partnership with Orange in Sub-Saharan Africa allows us to put our two areas of expertise – high-quality solar products plus affordable personal finance – to work for a wider impact in the region. It also bolsters d.light’s aim to transform the lives of more than one billion people worldwide by 2030 with access to clean, safe solar energy.”

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About d.light: Founded in 2007 in Stanford, California, d.light is a global leader in making transformative products available and affordable to low-income families. d.light has sold nearly 30 million products, including solar lanterns, solar home systems, TVs, radios, and smartphones, impacting the lives of over 150 million people. Our vision is to transform the lives of one billion people, in developing countries, with sustainable products by 2030. For more information, visit: dlight.com.

15 May 2024: On 9 May 2024, Ener-G-Africa (EGA) officially launched its cookware manufacturing facility in Paarl, producing a range of clean-burning, fuel-efficient stoves and cookware, and employing 100 people from the local community. The event was attended by the Drakenstein municipality Executive Mayor, Stephen Korabie, media, retailers, NGOs and community organisations. A panel discussion on clean and green cooking was led by the World Bioenergy Association president, Christian Rakos.

“This launch is the culmination of a vision to revolutionise cooking in Africa, making it cleaner, healthier, more affordable and better for the environment,” says André Moolman, CEO at Ener-G-Africa. “Cooking remains largely the unrecognised responsibility of women in Africa. Every day, millions of women across the continent have no option but to cook in unsafe conditions, using inefficient equipment. They spend hours collecting firewood for fuel, and cooking on primitive, unhealthy and often dangerous wood-burning stoves. We are looking to change that by providing accessible, cost-effective and innovative cookware that saves women time, money and fuel. We hope to help women reclaim their time, negate safety issues related to firewood collection and improve health outcomes by minimising exposure to harmful smoke. This can help to restore women’s dignity and boost their productivity.”

“The opening of this factory is a landmark event for clean cooking in Africa”, adds Christian Rakos, President of World Bioenergy Association. “Ener-G-Africa’s engagement will include building supply chains for a fuel that can revolutionize cooking in Africa – pelletized biomass coming from various types of agricultural residues and fast growing grasses. This modern fuel offers a clean burning and affordable alternative to firewood and charcoal. The dedicated pellet cookstove built here has the potential to become a unique success story”.

Ener-G-Africa’s clean cooking solutions extend to innovations in the form of sustainable fuels, all aimed at combatting climate change to make universal access to clean cooking by 2030 achievable (SDG 7).

“Our products are designed for clean cooking, which is healthier, and green cooking, which is better for the environment and more sustainable,” Chief Business Development Executive at Ener-G-Africa Dave Lello adds. “Not only are our stoves safer to use but they are also more fuel-efficient, meaning they are more cost-effective.”

Local manufacturing commitment

The manufacturing plant is located in Berg River in the Drakenstein municipality, contributing to job creation and stimulating the local economy. Built at a cost of $1 million (USD), this 3 200m2 factory represents the company’s commitment to local manufacturing. Products are distributed across South Africa and into the rest of the continent.

The plant uses 100% locally made stainless steel and is located near Ener-G-Africa’s other facility – a women-run solar manufacturing plant that is the second largest on the continent.

Ener-G-Africa is a Proudly South African member, committed to an uplifting ethos that promotes social and economic change and progress and to making a meaningful contribution to building South Africa’s economy and alleviating unemployment.

The company has invested in cutting-edge manufacturing technology, including a 6kW laser cutter and a 25m long dishwasher for cleaning the finished cookware. The laser cutter provides high precision and accuracy, with an “auto coil” feature that enables the machine to auto-feed and cut material, increasing efficiency in batch production and minimising material waste. Laser cutting also allows for flexibility in terms of cutting the different shapes and patterns required to produce the full range of cookware.

“As well as serving the needs of African women, our range is well suited to anyone who enjoys cooking outdoors, from camping enthusiasts to South Africans who love to sit around a fire together,” says Moolman. “Our stoves and cookware are fuel-efficient, easy-to-use, clean-burning and designed to bring the joy back into cooking.”

All these products are currently available on Ener-G-Africa’s website, www.ener-g-africa.com.

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About Ener-G-Africa: Ener-G-Africa helps to tackle the challenges of climate change and improve the lives of people in Africa by manufacturing sustainable energy solutions that increase access to clean and renewable energy.

Since its inception in 2017, Ener-G-Africa has established three manufacturing plants; one in Lilongwe, Malawi, and two in the Western Cape, South Africa. The female-led solar panel assembly plant, their newly launched advanced biomass stove plant and the cookware manufacturing plant promote clean cooking and are all situated in Paarl.

Ener-G-Africa’s energy-efficient products are distributed throughout South Africa and across 12 African countries. These products which include solar panels, biomass stoves, pellets and cookware are all aimed at improving the lives and health of households across the continent. For more information, visit: www.ener-g-africa.com.

15 May 2024: d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, is providing 10,000 subsidized solar home systems to refugees who have fled conflict in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and who are now living in refugee camps in Northern and Western Uganda. The 10,000 units are part of a wider initiative to supply 23,000 solar home systems to Ugandan refugee communities.

The project is being funded by a USD$3.4M grant from Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), a body made up of business associations, companies and public sector agencies in Uganda: and Energising Development (EnDev), an international programme by the German, Dutch, Norwegian and Swiss governments to provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for delivering social, economic, and environmental change.

The project began in April and is scheduled to run for 12 months. Funds from the grant are subject to results based financing (RBF) and d.light will only receive funding for solar home systems that have been installed. Each solar home system from d.light features three high-efficiency LED lights, an FM radio with MP3 playback, mobile phone charging capability, and a portable solar flashlight.

Commenting on the news, d.light’s Managing Director for Uganda Douglas Gavala said, “With this grant, we can expand the important work we’re doing to improve living conditions for underserved refugee communities from South Sudan, the DRC and elsewhere who are living in refugee camps in Uganda.

“A solar home system significantly improves the quality of life and wellbeing of a household – whether it’s providing entertainment or letting a family stay up to date on local and global news on the radio or enabling children to continue reading and studying after dark.

“As well as benefits at home, d.light products also bolster household income in Uganda’s refugee settlements by extending working hours for tradespeople and small businesses, and providing an income for residents who work as d.light salespeople in the settlements.

“By providing high-quality solar products at an affordable price, we are improving the quality of life for displaced people while simultaneously encouraging economic activity at a grassroots level.”

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About d.light: Founded in 2007 in Stanford, California, d.light is a global leader in making transformative products available and affordable to low-income families. d.light has sold nearly 30 million products, including solar lanterns, solar home systems, TVs, radios, and smartphones, impacting the lives of over 150 million people. Our vision is to transform the lives of one billion people, in developing countries, with sustainable products by 2030. For more information, visit: dlight.com.

14 May 2024: Boasting 60% of the world’s best solar resources, Africa’s solar power potential presents multiple opportunities for investors seeking long-term, scalable financial prospects. A panel session during this year’s Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024 forum explored strategies to unlock financing for renewable energy projects across the continent.

Taking place in Paris on May 14, the session, which included independent power producer ENGIE Energy Access, featured a robust discussion around solar energy deployment. Committed to raising electrification rates across the continent, the company is developing a $60 million mini-grid project in Nigeria, which is set for completion by 2026 and is poised to connect over 150,000 people to the grid.

“More than 600 million people lack access to electricity, and ENGIE Access’ goal is to bridge this gap,” stated ENGIE Energy Access Head of Funding Marie Testard, adding, “ENGIE Energy Access is the energy access company that aims to deploy this solution in sub-Saharan Africa, and so far, we have a presence in nine countries, building almost 10 GW of mini-grids.”

Meanwhile, having secured $222.5 million in commitments from African institutional investors in January, pan-African infrastructure investment platform Africa50 Group is well positioned to deploy a pipeline of renewable energy infrastructure projects. The fund is poised to play a vital role in addressing the continent’s energy needs while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

“The African continent has a lot of renewable resources and the highest solar potential in the world, with only 5 GW of installed solar capacity so far,” stated Africa50 Infrastructure Investment Platform Strategy Director Molly Gbodimowo, adding, “Overall, Africa requires $277 billion annually to implement its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Underscoring the pivotal role of public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms in driving renewable energy initiatives, the speakers stressed the importance of local institutions and a favorable investment environment in Africa.

Additionally, it was noted that Africa’s path towards a more sustainable future will require a concerted effort from international stakeholders in the continent’s energy sector to divest from carbon-intensive resources and move towards renewables.

7 May 2024: The Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) and The Congolese Association for Renewable and Decentralized Energies (ACERD asbl) have announced a collaboration that seeks to bridge the energy access gap via minigrids and decentralized utilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

AMDA and ACERD asbl are expected to work jointly towards ensuring development, financing, and rapid deployment of minigrids to electrify the rural unserved and underserved areas in the DRC. Specifically, the organizations are seeking to advocate and promote the development of policies, regulations, standards, and guidelines that benefit and support the scale of the minigrid sector.

The collaboration seeks to facilitate in-depth research that highlights opportunities and key barriers in project implementation, with the goal of sharing knowledge, data, and information related to minigrid electrification, including data on energy demand and infrastructure requirements, and disseminating information to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public.

“AMDA is delighted to work with ACERD asbl to advocate for optimal policy and regulatory framework that will benefit the minigrid sector and the people it serves.” said Olamide Niyi-Afuye, the CEO of AMDA. “We will work with all stakeholders to unlock the right mix of financing to scale the minigrid sector in the DRC and standardize metrics to measure sector progress and make informed decisions through evidence and research.”

“ACERD asbl is thrilled to have AMDA as a rightful partner for the benefit of the DRC minigrid regulatory and policy framework. To be acknowledged in a partnership with AMDA shows how important it is to secure diligently the pathway for the emergence of minigrid and the development of the energy sector in the DRC,” said Catherine Mukobo, CEO of ACERD asbl.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to 99 million people. The electricity sector is characterized by low electrification rates, with only about 20.8 percent of the DRC’s population having access to electricity in 2020 according to World Bank data, underscoring the urgent need for increased electricity generation and distribution to expand access toward universal electrification. Most of the country is not covered by the national grid and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, due to the size of the country, the grid’s limited reach and limited investments in transmission.

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About AMDA: The Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) is an industry association created by private sector minigrid developers and development partners interested in improving political and financial environments for minigrid companies in Africa. AMDA serves as the consolidated voice for minigrid developers to accelerate their pathway to scale and sustainability towards achieving universal access to sustainable, reliable, affordable, and modern energy in Africa. To date, AMDA has 43 member companies operating in 22 countries in Africa. For more information, visit: africamda.org.

6 May 2024: Bricsa Consulting proudly presents the 6th Edition of the PowerTech Africa Conference scheduled on June 10th and 11th, 2024, at Four Points by Sheraton, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Esteemed speakers include representatives from Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC), Ministry of Energy and Petroleum - Kenya, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), Ministry of Water and Energy - Ethiopia, and more.

Join industry leaders, policymakers, and experts for insightful discussions on renewable energy, grid modernization, and policy frameworks. Key discussions of the conference are:

• Identifying the potential of renewable sources in the Sub-Saharan Africa Regions - Wind, Solar, Geothermal & Hydropower;
• Implementation of Smart Grid/Off-Grid technology projects using renewable energy for a better and reliable power transmission;
• Sources of capitalizing renewable power projects & exploring Foreign Direct Investment policies for better project implementation;
• Hybrid Energy System: Spurting opportunities for the energy market in Africa.

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For more details, visit: https://pta.bricsaconsulting.com/.

For media and endorsement inquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• The A2E Fund is once again making one million euros available to support projects that contribute to energy inclusion in disadvantaged communities in Africa. The application phase for this 6th edition runs until 29 May.<

29 April 2024: EDP is launching another edition of the A2E (Access to Energy) CSR Fund this week, through which it selects and finances the best projects for access to renewable energy in communities in African countries. Organisations interested in presenting projects that contribute to the promotion of clean energy and energy inclusion can apply from this Monday, April 29, until the end of May.

With a total budget of one million euros, the A2E Fund aims to finance projects in five countries – Mozambique, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya and Rwanda – where there are still high levels of energy exclusion. EDP thus aims to support sustainable energy solutions that contribute to a just and inclusive transition in communities in the most isolated and vulnerable regions.

After five editions and 3.5 million euros in funding, the 38 projects supported by the A2E CSR Fund have already directly and indirectly benefited the lives of almost 3 million people in seven African countries. This support is particularly important in Africa, which is estimated to represent more than 80% of the world’s population still without access to electricity.

“In building a fairer and more sustainable future, every investment counts. By renewing our support for clean energy access projects in the most vulnerable and isolated communities, through this new edition of the A2E Fund, we are not just financing energy projects – we are promoting change with a positive impact,” explains Vera Pinto Pereira, executive board member of EDP and president of the EDP Foundation. “This is our commitment and a vote of confidence in those who, like us, work with the ambition of providing a fair, inclusive energy transition in which everyone can have the opportunity to change their lives.”

As in previous editions, the A2E Fund is once again focusing on five priority areas – education, health, water, community and business – and values assessment criteria such as social impact, partnerships, sustainability, potential for expansion or technical and financial viability. The projects to be funded may involve solutions that, for example, bring electricity and drinking water to schools and medical centres, power irrigation systems for agricultural fields and refrigeration equipment for small businesses, or support the work of artisans.

Despite the differences, all these projects share the same ambition and positive impact: to improve the quality of life of these small communities and boost their social, economic and environmental progress. Thus, EDP is continuing the programme started in 2018 to support clean and sustainable energy projects in emerging countries. This is one of the focuses of the group’s social impact programme, EDP Y.E.S. – You Empower Society, which helps bring energy to those who don’t have it.

The projects selected in the last five editions of the fund can be consulted in the Access to Energy area on EDP’s website.

In this new edition, entities will be able to apply for financial support of between 50,000 and 150,000 euros for each project – the fund guarantees up to 75% of the actual total costs of the project (in the case of non-profit organisations) and up to 50% of the costs for other for-profit entities. Applications can be submitted until 29 May, followed by an evaluation and pre-selection phase in the following months. The selection of the winning projects will be announced in the last quarter of this year.

The regulations and application form for the 6th edition of the A2E Fund can be found here.

25 April 2024: A leading provider of distributed infrastructure solutions, proudly announces its latest milestone: expanding renewable energy access in Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon through the strategic acquisition of Oolu, a prominent provider of Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions in West Africa. The strategic move marks Ignite Power’s foray into the vibrant West African market, where it aims to replicate the success it achieved across multiple countries in East and Southern Africa, positively impacting millions of lives and paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable, and inclusive future.

“We are excited to welcome the Oolu team to the Ignite Power family”, stated Yariv Cohen, Ignite Power CEO. “Oolu has built a solid business infrastructure for expansion and growth across the region. With Ignite’s proven technologies for last-mile operations, advanced SOPs, strong financial positioning, and after leading the industry across multiple markets, we are confident that we can substantially expand the impact and footprint across the wider West African region.”

In Kenya, where Ignite Power completed two strategic acquisitions last year, the company’s impact has been nothing short of revolutionary. By seamlessly integrating operations and deploying its cutting-edge technologies, Ignite’s newly acquired companies have quadrupled sales, and cut the market price by 35% in the span of 4 months, setting a new standard for excellence and affordability in the country’s distributed renewable energy sector.

Now, with the acquisition of Oolu, Ignite embarks on another chapter in its journey toward sustainable development. Oolu, a graduate of the renowned Y Combinator accelerator and a trusted provider of solar-based solutions across Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, provided clean and affordable energy access to over 800,000 people through a diverse range of DRE systems, including solar home systems, productive use of energy (PUE) solutions, and commercial and industrial (C&I) projects.

“Joining the Ignite family presents a remarkable opportunity to blend oolu’s strong operational presence across West Africa with Ignite’s proven expertise and advanced technologies”, said Dan Rosa, Co-founder and CEO of Oolu. “Together, we can tap into vast opportunities, enhance our reach, and substantially increase our impact on communities across the region.”

Through this acquisition, Ignite Power also strategically enters the C&I sector, capitalizing on Oolu’s successful deployment of 3 MW across various projects and a growing portfolio of new solar projects across Nigeria. According to Vincenzo Capogna, Oolu’s CTO, “West Africa offers a wealth of potential for solar-based solutions, from last mile and residential customers to large commercial and industrial sectors. We are enthusiastic about leveraging these opportunities with Ignite to drive growth and resilience across the solar landscape.”

As the shift towards sustainable energy solutions continues, the potential for distributed solar energy in West Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, shines brighter than ever. With a rapidly expanding population and an increasing demand for reliable electricity, the Total Addressable Market (TAM) for distributed solar energy solutions in the region is vast and promising, reaching 100 million people, effectively doubling Ignite’s current addressable market.

Nigeria, being one of the largest economies in Africa, stands at the forefront of this energy revolution. With over 80 million people lacking access to reliable electricity, distributed solar energy solutions present a compelling alternative. The TAM for these solutions encompasses a wide range of sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial; In rural areas where grid access is limited or non-existent, distributed solar energy systems offer a lifeline, powering homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. Approximately 60% of Nigeria’s rural population lacks access to electricity, representing a substantial market for off-grid solar solutions. Furthermore, in urban centers plagued by frequent power outages and unreliable grid connections, businesses are turning to solar to ensure uninterrupted operations and reduce operational costs.

The latest government decision to remove subsidies for fuel and diesel in Nigeria has further amplified the appeal of solar energy. With fuel and diesel prices increasing, businesses and households are seeking alternative energy sources to mitigate escalating energy costs. This policy shift creates vast opportunities for the solar sector to provide affordable and sustainable energy solutions across the country. Leveraging Oolu’s established operations, bolstered by Ignite’s support and expertise, the company is strategically positioned to capitalize on this burgeoning opportunity.

With extensive experience in operating under Results-Based-Financing (RBF) programs supported by the World Bank and other leading financiers, Ignite is well-positioned to deepen partnerships across West Africa. The World Bank’s commitment to bolstering rural electrification efforts, particularly in Nigeria, is evident through initiatives like the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project announced in December 2023, which has a substantial budget of $750 million and aims to provide electricity access to 17.5 million people through distributed renewable energy solutions. Last week, the World Bank’s President Ajay Banga announced that the Bank will bring electricity to 250 million Africans, a major increase from its December pledge of $5 billion to connect 100 million people in Africa to power by 2030. This increased commitment aligns closely with Ignite Power’s mission to bring sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities, mirroring its successful participation in RBF programs in Mozambique, Kenya and Rwanda.

Ignite Power stands at the forefront of the distributed and renewable energy revolution, armed with a proven track record of impact, efficiency, and innovation. After positively impacting 2.5 million lives, saving more than 600,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, creating 3,500 jobs, and winning multiple industry awards, including the prestigious 2023 Zayed Prize, Ignite catalyzed economic growth and social and environmental impact at scale.

“With the acquisition of Oolu, we are one step closer to realizing our vision of a world powered by clean, sustainable, and distributed energy,” says Cohen. “Together, we will continue to defy the odds and illuminate the path to a brighter, more prosperous, and cleaner future for all.”

• ENGIE Energy Access has inaugurated today its first mini-grid in Dohouè, a village in the South of Benin. The Dohouè MySol Grid, powered by 135 kWp of solar panels and supported by 130 kWh of Lithium-ion batteries, connects over 1,500 residents and businesses to sustainable energy solutions.

11 April 2024: ENGIE Energy Access has inaugurated today its first mini-grid in Dohouè, a village in the South of Benin.

The Dohouè MySol Grid, powered by 135 kWp of solar panels and supported by 130 kWh of Lithium-ion batteries, connects over 1,500 residents and businesses to sustainable energy solutions. In partnership with the Beninese Agency for Rural Electrification and Energy Management (ABERME), ENGIE Energy Access has secured a 20-year license agreement, underlining its commitment to long-term, impactful development. This electrification milestone promises enhanced economic prospects for the local community, providing access to income-generating activities and fostering financial inclusion.

Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of ENGIE Energy Access commented: “Our comprehensive offering across solar home systems and mini-grids in Benin enables a cost-effective and adaptable multi-technological approach. Therefore, we can meet the various urgent needs of residential, communal, and productive users living outside the national grid.” He added. “We are committed to making clean energy technologies accessible to low-income households, promoting inclusivity and empowerment within each member of the communities we serve.”

Christelle Agossou, Country Director of ENGIE Energy Access Benin, affirmed the company’s forward-looking vision, stating, “Looking towards the future, ENGIE Energy Access is constructing and will operate 20 additional mini-grids across the country.” These mini-grids, co-financed by the Millennium Challenge Account – Benin II programme as part of the Off-grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), will collectively deliver 1.2 MW of installed capacity, illuminating the lives of more than 30,000 people across 20 rural localities.”

This project will accelerate energy access solutions in Benin where ENGIE Energy Access is bringing light and sustainable electricity to already more than 1,500,000 people.

ENGIE Energy Access BENIN currently has over 200 employees, 1000 independent sales agents, and more than 100 points of presence across the country, dedicated to providing exceptional customer experience with high-quality products and services.

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About ENGIE Energy Access: ENGIE Energy Access is the leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa. The company develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGO solar home systems are financed through affordable instalments and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1,800 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), 2.5 million customers and more than 12.5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to impact 20 million lives across Africa by 2025.