Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth – Rwanda Energy Week

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Under the patronage of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Energy Private Developers (EPD) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Clean Cooking, Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP), the World Bank, the European Union, EEP Africa, Solar Plaza, GOGLA, Shell Foundation, bfz and many others organize the 2nd Edition of the RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH which falls under Rwanda Energy Week, on 5th -9th November 2018.

The Rwanda Energy Energy Week will host four energy forums:

  1. The Clean Cooking Investment Forum, on 5th-6th November 2018 at Kigali Convention Center. The Forum is organized by Energy Private Developers (EPD) and Global Alliance for Clean Cooking, the forum is a first-of-its-kind, private sector-oriented conference to convene business leaders, investors, donors and government representatives to collaborate on developing an industry at scale to deliver modern, clean cooking solutions around the world, with a special focus on East Africa. For more about the forum and participation, please visit: https://clean-cooking-investment-forum.b2match.io/ 
  2. Unlocking Solar Capital Africa Forum, its 3rd edition will take place on 7th-8th November 2018 at Kigali Convention Center. The conference is organized by SolarPlazza in partnership with GOGLA and it is payable event. The conference will bring together hundreds of representatives from development banks, investment funds, solar developers, IPPs, EPCs & other stakeholders. 350+ decision makers will gather to engage in extensive discussions to solve Africa’s solar energy funding gap – and get projects realized. For more about the conference and participation, please visit: https://africa.unlockingsolarcapital.com 

  3. Re-energizing Agriculture through Solar Power forum will take place on 8th November 2018 at Kigali Convention Centre. This forum will gather policy makers and private sector in energy and agriculture to discuss the role and experience of solar energy, mainly:
  • Opportunities and challenges of solar for agriculture in Rwanda
  • Solar irrigation,
  • Solar solutions for agribusinesses (drying, cold storage, processing….)
  • Financing solar solutions for agriculture (credit, leasing, microfinance).

The participation to this forum is free of charge for all invitees. 

EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum will take place on 9th November.

Welcome to EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum in Kigali, Rwanda

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In collaboration with Energy Private Developers (EPD) of Rwanda and as part of the Rwanda Sustainable Energy Week, EEP Africa will host its 7th Knowledge Exchange Forum (KEF) on Friday November 9, in Kigali, Rwanda.

Background

The EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum, organised since 2014, is an active event of discussions, sharing of experiences and a place to network with players in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector. Feedback from previous KEFs has enabled us to develop a highly relevant event specifically tailored for the needs of project developers. Based on its core idea of networking, the KEF offers ample opportunity to learn and build new business relationships.

Programme

Following the recent release of the EEP in-depth study on mini-grids, KEF Kigali will have a focus on mini-grids but there will be a lot on offer for other sectors as well.

The day will be built around a combination of interesting presentations and casual networking. Highlights of the event include:

  • A sharing of lessons learned by a successful solar PV project developer, who will offer key insights into project development in Rwanda.
  • A session with investors, who will share their perspectives on what they are looking for in renewable energy projects and companies.
  • Roundtable discussions during which participants can share their own successes and challenges.
  • Presentations by the shortlisted candidates for the EEP Project of the Year 2018. The winner will be announced at the end of the day.

The EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum audience is typically half project developers (EEP supported and others) and half other key stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in the region. Previous KEFs have attracted around 100 participants each.

Registration

To enable participation by a wide audience, the EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum is open for all and free of charge.  The venue and final agenda will be shared with the participants closer to the event.

Please note that there is a limited number of seats available so make sure to register soon!

Register here latest by 26 October >>

We look forward to seeing you in Kigali!

 

Rwanda Sustainable Energy Week

See other clean energy events in Rwanda 5-9 November:

 

It’s time to select the EEP Project of the Year 2018!

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EEP Project of the Year will be awarded for the 4th time at EEP Knowledge Exchange Forum on 9 November in Kigali, Rwanda. See the announcement below and apply for the award!

EEP_ProjectOfTheYear2018_announcement

 

 

Mini-grids ready for primetime, lack support: report

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A new EEP Africa study of dozens of projects says renewable energy mini-grids in Sub-Saharan Africa are generating high-quality grid power, providing 24/7 electricity services, creating jobs and boosting local economies

NAIROBI, September 12, 2018 — Today, the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) released a new report, “Opportunities and Challenges in the Mini-Grid Sector in Africa.”  It found that despite improved economics, mini-grids still struggle to receive the financial and regulatory support needed to scale.

 According to an analysis of EEP Africa-funded mini-grids in East and Southern Africa:

  • mini-grids on average create 306 new connections per project
  • connection costs are as low as EUR 200, much less than centralized grid extension
  • mini-grids deliver annual savings per household of EUR 93
  • an average of 36 direct jobs are created per mini-grid project

 “The continuous improvement of mini-grid cost structure presents an opportunity for financiers,“ said Wim Jonker Klunne, EEP Africa’s Lead Coordinator. “Mini-grids can also transform rural villages into local business hubs, and spur local economies by focusing load on agro-processing or social facilities such as schools or hospitals.“

Smart metering, remote asset monitoring and pay-as-you-go technology platforms have significantly improved mini-grid operational efficiency, the report said.

Despite the enormous potential, however, the report found that mini-grids still lack the regulatory and financial support needed to scale.

EEP Africa called on governments to include mini-grids as part of national electrification plans, establish clear permitting and licensing processes to reduce costs for mini-grids developers, and embrace public and donor capital such as results-based financing (RBF) and low-interest loan facilities to mobilize capital and spur mini-grid development.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that mini-grids have the potential to serve as many as 450 million people currently without access to electricity if supportive policies and finance are in place. Mini-grids and other distributed renewable solutions are the least cost option for three-quarters of all new connections needed in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 600 million people still lack basic electricity, IEA adds.

Download the Full Report here >>

About EEP

The Energy and Environment Partnership covering Southern and East Africa (EEP Africa) is a multi-donor fund providing early stage grant and catalytic financing to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models. EEP Africa is hosted and managed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and, since 2010, has received funding from Austria, Finland, NDF and the UK. The next major EEP event is a mini-grid-themed Knowledge Exchange Forum planned for Rwanda Energy Week in Kigali on November 9.

 Media Contact

William Brent, william@powerforall.org, +34 684 314 268

EEP Mini-Grid Study launch event on 12 September in Nairobi

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Challenges and Opportunities in the Mini-Grid Market – Findings from the EEP Africa Portfolio

EEP Africa, in close collaboration with Power for All, will launch an in-depth study on mini-grids based on findings from the portfolio of pioneering mini-grid projects receiving support as part of the EEP Africa mandate to provide early stage grant and catalytic financing on competitive basis to innovative, private sector-led clean energy projects in Southern and East Africa.

EEP Africa has provided more than EUR 7 million in direct early stage and pilot financing to mini-grid projects in Southern and East Africa. The study highlights findings from these active projects and provides a key learning tool for the growing sector.

The context for mini-grid development varies between countries. The study identifies gaps in the policy and regulatory framework, highlights available support to the sector and specific successes from the EEP Africa portfolio, while at the same time cites persistent challenges to the growth of the sector including barriers to access to market data, lack of proven business models and insufficient coordination among key stakeholders in the power sector as well as with and amongst donors.

Launch of the study and an active panel discussion with key partners and project developers will take place during the Future Energy East Africa Conference in Nairobi on 12 September at 11:30-13:00. The event will take place in the Technical Workshop area on the exhibition floor and is accessible to all. See the updated list of panelists in the Technical Workshop Programme and register for a free visitor pass that gives you access to all of the technical workshops over the course of the two days, 12 to 13 September.

The report will be published on the EEP website after the launch. If you wish to receive a copy directly to your mailbox, please submit your contact details here.

 

 

 

EEP Africa CfP14 attracted a record number of Concept Notes

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CfP14 closed on 28 June and the EEP Africa team has been busy with the exciting task of reviewing the proposals. We appreciate the vast interest this call attracted – an amazing number of 530 Concept Notes were submitted!   

We received proposals from all 15 EEP countries and a great variety of renewable and energy efficiency sectors were represented. Overall, the submitted Concept Notes demonstrate a diversified portfolio of innovative early stage clean energy projects. The total value of the proposed projects amounted to more than 1 billion euros.

The highest number of proposals received were from Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania, similar to the geographical distribution of the current EEP portfolio. Among the energy sectors Solar PV was the most popular, including mini-grids, solar-home-system distribution initiatives, and other innovative projects providing solar energy services. Other technology sectors such as waste-to-energy, cookstoves, hydropower, biogas and solid biomass were also strongly represented.

Once again, we thank all of you for your interest in EEP Africa. All applicants will be informed about decisions on the Concept Note stage by the end of August 2018. More details on the next CfP15 will be shared on the EEP Africa website and through EEP communication channels in the coming months.

Austria confirms continued support to EEP Africa

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3 July 2018 – The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) joined NDF and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA Finland) as a donor to the new Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund covering Southern and East Africa (EEP Africa) raising combined commitments to the Fund to EUR 28 million.

EEP Africa was first launched in 2010 under the leadership of MFA Finland with co-financing from Austria and the UK. It has been at the forefront of efforts to fast track clean energy access and sustainable and inclusive green growth across the region.

In January 2018, EEP Africa transitioned into a multi-donor trust fund hosted and managed by NDF and providing early stage grant and catalytic financing to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models.

The new financing commitment from Austria will support access to clean energy in 15 countries in Southern and East Africa and highlights a strong start for the Fund. Discussions are ongoing with additional donors with the aim of growing the commitments to the Fund by the end of the year.

EEP Africa increases energy supply and access to renewable energy for poor people and promotes energy efficiency by demonstrating and deploying new technologies in Southern and East Africa. EEP Africa targets the key barriers of access to finance and information in order to advance low carbon private sector development in a cost effective and evidence based way.

According to ADA Managing Director, Martin Ledolter, “Austria is convinced of the necessity to invest in climate change mitigation and thus driving forward the renewable energy agenda in the global fight to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is why Austria explicitly supports renewable energy and low-carbon technologies such as solar, hydro, wind and biofuels. Hence the participation within this successful partnership with Finland and the Nordic Development Fund provides Austria a unique opportunity to contribute to our convictions in this area on a larger scale and to jointly be at the forefront of efforts to fast track clean energy access and sustainable and inclusive green growth across the region.”

 

NDF Managing Director, Pasi Hellman, noted, “Austria’s contribution has special significance as it is the first time that a non-Nordic partner commits funding under NDF management. This highlights Austria’s continued commitment to EEP Africa and our shared priorities for energy access and low carbon private sector development in Africa as well as trust in NDF to lead the programme into a new phase.”

Since 2010, EEP Africa has channelled more than EUR 57 million to more than 200 pioneering projects leveraging innovative clean energy technologies and energy access business models to transform lives and livelihoods with particular focus on the very poor.

EEP projects have improved energy access for more than 900,000 households and contributed to more than 8,000 new jobs, of which more than 3,000 accrued to women. EEP financing has also triggered direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of more than 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and leveraged more than €150 million in additional investment.

For more information, please visit www.eepafrica.org or get in touch at info@eepafrica.org.
Photo credit: Nuru Energy

 

 Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

Combating poverty, ensuring peace and preserving the environment: These are the three major concerns of Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation. ADA funds projects and programmes currently with a total of EUR 500 million to improve living conditions in developing countries. Together with the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (MFA), partner countries, public institutions, civil-society organisations and businesses, ADA seeks to ensure that sustainable development works to the benefit of all people in Africa, Asia, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe as well as in the Caribbean.

For more information, please contact oeza.info@ada.gv.at

Nordic Development Fund (NDF)

NDF is the joint development and climate finance institution of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. NDF finances and facilitates climate investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition to managing EEP Africa, NDF finances clean energy development in Africa through a mix of innovative and complementary blended finance facilities with a range of other bilateral, multilateral and private sector partners.

For more information, please contact Jussi Viding, Project Officer at jussi.viding@ndf.fi.

Tanzania approves its first Wind Farm Project with EEP support

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Windlab Limited and its local subsidiary Windlab Developments Tanzania Ltd has been awarded an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Certificate for the construction of the Miombo Hewani Wind Farm and Transmission line project, located in Southern Central Tanzania. Miombo Hewani has been approved for up to 300MW of capacity.

 Windlab’s ESIA certificate is the first one issued for a wind farm in Tanzania. Once operational, the wind farm will provide electricity for over one million Tanzanians over the minimum of 25 years of operation.  The wind farm will be built in phases; the first phase of the project is expected to be around 100MW and include up to 34 wind turbines as well as electrical infrastructure connecting the wind farm to national electricity grid at the Makambako substations. The first phase alone will bring up to US$300M of investment to the country. 

EEP Africa supported Windlab’s project from 2015 until 2017. The grant was aimed to carry out a complete feasibility study for the wind farm, allowing it to move to a bankable position over its course. In addition, EEP provided business development support to the project by selecting Windlab to participate in the EEP Investor Forum and by sharing lessons from the project on the EEP website.

EEP is delighted by the groundbreaking news about the successful completion and outcome of the feasibility study. The project is a breakthrough and will have a significant impact on the entire energy sector in Tanzania. The process to obtain the certificate was challenging due to many external factors and changes in the government regulations. Windlab has been working continuously on the project for the past three years in Tanzania. The project has required an immense amount of commitment, wide range expertise and persistence to achieve the current stage.  

IT IS POSSIBLE!