Energy Contest to Reward Innovative Ideas

NAIROBI, Kenya

General Electric Africa and the United States African Development Foundation have partnered to support an innovation contest in energy aimed at supporting sustainable power solutions in Africa.

The Off Grid Energy Innovation Challenge is a three-year, $2 million challenge that will give 20 grants of up to $100, 000 each to African company and organisation providing off-grid solutions that deploy renewable resources and power economic activities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi yesterday, the President and CEO of USADF, Ms Shari Berenbach, said there is need to expand access to power in several countries in Africa.

“We jointly acknowledge the need to support the development of off-grid energy solutions to meet the demands of African communities,” she said. “This initiative will help leverage more marginaliszed and undeserved communities into positions to engage in and benefit from inclusive economic growth.”

She added that the challenge will provide up to $1.5 million in grants of approximately $100,000 each to non-governmental, indigenous African organisations for projects that support local energy solutions.

Both GE and USADF will individually contribute $250,000 and $500,000 in 2013 and 2014, respectively, to support grants under the Power Africa Challenge. GE Africa President and CEO Jay Ireland said GE Africa is committed to the sustainable development of Africa’s energy sector.

The “Off Grid Energy Innovation Challenge” is an initiative of American Government agencies and private corporations to drive growth by increasing access to reliable, affordable and sustainable power and by helping to ensure responsible, transparent and effective management of energy resources in Africa.

Africa-owned and operated businesses that are developing their own technologies or acquiring and installing technology developed elsewhere are eligible to apply.