Archive for category: Events

More than 90 enthusiastic EEP project developers, investors and other professionals in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency gathered on 11 October in Kampala to meet peers and exchange new ideas. The 6^th EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum was built around inspiring presentations and discussions, encouraging participants to active networking and sharing of experiences. The intense day reached its climax with the announcement of the EEP Project of the Year 2017 Award winner.  

Private sector’s potential must be harnessed effectively

Esther Nyanzi from UNREEEA kicked off the day by speaking about their important mission to improve business environment for renewable energy and energy efficiency companies in Uganda and contribute to sustainable development. After that, the invited keynote speaker, Chairman of Simba Group Patrick Bitature gave a powerful speech about investments in renewable energy in Uganda. Mr. Bitature praised EEP as a true partnership and urged local companies to show their innovations and bravely search for funding opportunities. He also encouraged African and foreign companies to collaborate, in order to facilitate skills transfer. According to his words “Private sector should start with what they have got, fail, get up and start again. We cannot depend on donors forever”.

EEP Grant Manager Fred Eklund shared the current status of the project portfolio, highlighting the excellent results and the life-changing impacts the projects are achieving across sectors, countries and project types. Variety of the projects has proven to be one of the greatest strengths of EEP, making the programme stand out in the region. EEP Programme Director Wim Jonker Klunne continued with presenting hydropower projects in the EEP portfolio and the panel on hydro shared their thoughts about barriers and possibilities in the African hydropower sector.

Partnering and knowledge sharing throughout KEF

After the lunch GOGLA and EUEI PDF (sharing on RECP and ElectriFI) provided interesting insights into supporting mechanisms for renewable energy projects and highlighted the need for early-stage funding through EEP as well as the added value in partnering and sharing information on funding opportunities.

In addition to several networking breaks, the round-table discussions offered the participants a chance to share their own experiences about innovations in the business model; challenges and lessons from product distribution; regulatory and policy framework; productive use of energy; and ideal team composition for reaching best results in energy projects. The participation in the round-tables was very active and room was full of discussion.

EEP Project of the Year Award 2017

For the fourth time since 2014, EEP selected the Project of the Year among the three shortlisted projects who were invited to give a presentation at the KEF. The competition was very tough as 15 successful project developers had submitted an application for the award. The Project of the Year title was finally awarded to the Kampala-based company Green Bio Energy. The winner convinced the EEP jury with the remarkable results that they have achieved with their energy-efficient cookstoves and eco-friendly briquettes.  Green Bio Energy has up to date affected the lives of 750,000 Ugandans, reduced 265,000 tons of CO2 emission and created permanent jobs for over 250 people. GBE’s annual growth in sales is forecast to be 25 %, and the company is poised to continue its expansion in Kampala and Mbale areas. Green Bio Energy hoped that this award would support them in achieving even better results and a greater impact.

This year’s winner GBE will be seen in the world’s leading startup event Slush Helsinki in November, where they will get a valuable opportunity to create contacts with international investors and mingle with other startup companies.

The other two great finalists were Absolute Energy with a solar PV mini-grid project electrifying a remote island of Kitobo in Lake Victoria, and BioLite whose innovative cookstove solution addresses multiple energy needs (ie. cooking, phone charging and lighting) simultaneously. All the finalists have shown great business potential, and we can be sure to hear more about them in the future.

Towards EEP Phase III

The last Knowledge Exchange Forum of the second phase of EEP was closed with the donors’ insights into the achievements of EEP Phase II and introduction to the future of the new EEP Multi-donor Trust Fund starting its operations in the beginning of 2018. The donors humbly thanked all project developers for their committed efforts in advancing the goals of EEP.

Presentations:

• EEP Portfolio
• UNREEEA
• Patrick Bitature – Simba Group
• EEP Project of the Year 2017 competition – Absolute Energy

More presentations from KEF Kampala will be added soon.

The 6th EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum will take place in Kampala, Uganda on the 11th of October. Winner of the EEP Project of the Year Award will get an opportunity to participate in the world’s leading startup event Slush, Helsinki.

All project developers and other actors in the renewable energy sector are invited to join the 6th KEF event in Kampala. More information on the venue and detailed agenda will be published soon.

EEP Project of the Year 2017 will be selected and announced during KEF Uganda. Since 2014 ECO has nominated one outstanding project as the EEP Project of the Year.  Previously, the EEP Project of the Year title has been awarded to Devergy, Eco-Fuel Africa and iSmart Kenya.  Application for this year’s award is now open and three shortlisted finalists will be invited to present their projects at KEF Uganda where the winner will be announced.

The Project of the Year 2017 will be awarded an exclusive opportunity to join Slush Helsinki! EEP will fund travel, accommodation and associated costs for one representative of the winning project to participate in the world’s leading startup event.

If you are EEP project developer with excellent performance and interested in showcasing your innovation to the top global audience, including a full range of investors, take part of the EEP Project of the Year 2017 competition. Read the instructions in the invitation, fill out the application form and submit it by 15 September.

What is Slush?

Slush is a unique start-up event founded in Helsinki that has grown to be the leading one in Europe and spread globally to Tokyo, Shanghai and Singapore. The very core of Slush is to facilitate founder and investor meetings, and to build a world-wide startup community with extraordinary energy and enthusiasm. Slush has remained a student-driven, non-profit movement that aims high at bringing together the leading actors of the global tech startup scene and change attitudes toward entrepreneurship.

In 2016 Slush Helsinki attracted 17,500 people including 2,300 startups, 1,100 investors and 600 media representatives from over 120 countries. Emerging markets are also present at Slush as every year a group of impact-driven startup entrepreneurs from emerging countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America is selected through local pitching competitions to participate in a boot camp with Slush Global Impact Accelerator.

Read more about the Slush phenomenon and get ready to apply for the EEP Project of the Year award!

EEP organised the second Investor Forum in Nairobi, Kenya on 30 May

The EEP Investor Forum was again highly successful in bringing EEP project developers who are looking for post-EEP investment in contact with potential investors. The event grew slightly from the first EEP Investor Forum as there was growing interest from projects and need for additional investments in the EEP portfolio that is moving forward. The event in Nairobi was attended by 18 investors ranging from impact investors to development financing institutions and 26 EEP projects that have demonstrated potential for scaling-up.

The interest from project developers was clear as the first participants arrived well before the start of the registration. All projects had the opportunity to pitch their project, future plans and investment need to the investors in the beginning of the event to entice the investors present for further discussion. Similarly, the investors presented their organisations and funding appetite to the Forum.

The focus of the Investor Forum was on the one-on-one meetings between the projects and investors, which started after the networking lunch. The one-on-one matchmaking was facilitated by the EEP team prior to the Forum based on the input from the project developers and the investors to ensure valuable meetings and interactions.

In addition to the organised meetings countless informal meetings took place during the day. The opportunity to meet several investors and projects in just one event has proved to be the added value of the EEP Investor Forum. The day was rounded off with drinks and networking that continued the active discussions of the day.

The feedback received from both the EEP project developers and the investors has been very positive and highlights the demand for the EEP Investor Forum. The Forum was thanked for the diverse range of investors, the quality of projects and opening doors for more detailed discussions.

“It would be impossible to meet these people all in one place without the event – this is a huge benefit.”
-Project Developer

The Investor Forum has demonstrated to be a successful concept and will surely be continued. Please ensure to follow us through our newsletter and social media to stay informed on future Investor Forums.

“The event was highly informative and a great way to connect with many potential (and existing) partners in one room!”
–Investor