Cosmas Mwirigi – pv magazine International https://www.pv-magazine.com Photovoltaic Markets and Technology Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:57:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 120043466 Key takeaways from Powerelec Kenya https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/10/20/key-takeaways-from-powerelec-kenya/ https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/10/20/key-takeaways-from-powerelec-kenya/#respond Fri, 20 Oct 2023 05:45:11 +0000 https://www.pv-magazine.com/?p=230612 Kenya recently hosted the solar-focused Powerelec Kenya event, alongside the Renewable Energy Forum Africa 2023, in Nairobi. AFSIA and SolarPower Europe organized the event with the support of Get-Invest.

The recent Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) highlighted Africa's renewable energy potential. Organized by AFSIA and SolarPower Europe and supported by Get-Invest, the event took place in Kenya alongside Powerelec EXPO at the Sarit Center Expo in Nairobi from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6.

It featured more than 100 exhibitors, 300 delegates, and panel discussions on topics like C&I financing, market value, investment opportunities in Mozambique, and net metering. One session estimated Africa's renewable market to be worth approximately $350 billion, with investors seeking impact, reasonable returns, and manageable risk.

“We are improving the profitability of mini-grids through a number of different levers, such as driving synergies with SHS through a multi-technology approach,” Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of ENGIE Energy Access.

According to Inocencia Gujamo, the coordinator of electrification in Mozambique the government of Mozambique wants to promote renewable energy.

“We aim to achieve 100% renewable access by 2030 and 64% electricity access next year. Currently, we have 51% electricity access in Mozambique,” said Gujamo.

Another topic was about projects and issues facing minigrids.

“Not all rural last-mile sites look the same. They look very different, with some sites doing fine with approximately 50% capex grant as the subsidy while others need a more significant subsidy and others doing fine with less than 50%,” said Julie Greene, managing director of Renewvia Solar Africa. “We have seen that there has only been one financing model that works for some sites and others. To reach last-mile customers, we need to look at the actual sites and see where to apply mini-grids and SHS because these are distributed communities.”

According to Sanjeev Debipersad, the director of Investments Portfolio AECF, there is plenty of funding available. “How do we transition away from the dependencies on grants?” he asked.

“We need to step back before approaching the villages and precede with other instruments that help de-risk the minigrid,” said Debipersad. “For example, SME’s stimulations.”

Sanjeev noted challenges faced by African minigrids, including the need for track records and feasibility studies to attract financiers. Some companies are using their portfolios to access financing, improving risk appetite and enabling guarantee providers to participate.

The discussion also covered net metering, with implementation observed in Mauritius (5 kW max), Morocco, Namibia (500 kW max), Senegal, South Africa (100 kW max), Tunisia, and Zimbabwe (100 kW max).

]]> https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/10/20/key-takeaways-from-powerelec-kenya/feed/ 0 230612 East African Power to build 266 MW of solar under PPAs in Congo https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/07/28/east-african-power-to-build-266-mw-of-solar-under-ppas-in-congo/ https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/07/28/east-african-power-to-build-266-mw-of-solar-under-ppas-in-congo/#comments Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:00:48 +0000 https://www.pv-magazine.com/?p=222941 East African Power says it will build two 133 MW solar projects. The installations have 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the national utility, Société Nationale de l’Electricité (SNEL).

Canadian renewables company East African Power (EAP) has acquired an 85% stake in two solar projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two solar projects, with an installed capacity of 133 MW each, are located in Katanga and Lualaba provinces.

The Trade and Development Bank (TDB) supports East African Power in the project preparation process to achieve financial close in 2024. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports East African Power under the East Africa Power Program and the Sustainable Capital Africa Facility.

“USAID’s support has been in the form of legal technical assistance,” an East African Power spokesperson told pv magazine. “Through the program, we accessed legal services from a leading international legal firm, Norton Rose Fulbright, to review the bankability of the projects’ Concession Agreement and Power Purchase Agreement. SCAF has provided a repayable grant to co-finance pre–Financial Close development costs.”

The projects have secured 20-year PPAs with the national utility, Société Nationale de l’Electricité (SNEL).

“With the support of esteemed organizations like TDB, we are excited to support the growth of the IPP market in the DRC, providing clean, reliable, and sustainable power to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the people of DRC,” said said East African Power CEO Dan Klinck.

An East African Power spokesperson said that the company is the lead developer and sponsor of the projects. Its focus is to complete the pre-development activities of the project, close the financing, and complete the construction of the plants.

According to Power Africa, the two solar power plants should help to diversify Congo's electricity mix. It currently has an installed capacity of 2,844 MW, of which hydroelectric power stations generate 2,792 MW. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Congo had just 20 MW of installed PV capacity at the end of 2022.

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