To support off-grid energy solutions, GE Africa, has teamed up with the US African Development Foundation (USADF) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the Second Round of the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge. The three-year initiative will award 25 or more grants of up to $100,000 each to African companies and organisations providing off-grid solutions that deploy renewable resources and power economic activities.
This increases the number of grant recipients by 18 and expands the countries in scope to six. The first six grants, totaling $600,000, were awarded in the first round in 2013; five companies and one university already are expanding their operations and testing the feasibility of new models for delivering power to underserved communities. Three Kenyan winners – Solar World (E.A) Limited, Afrisol Energy Limited and Mibawa Suppliers – each received $ 100,000 in the first round of the Off-Grid Challenge in November last year.
Solar World (E.A.) Ltd submitted a proposal to construct five solar powered water points in Samburu County in Northern Kenya. Afrisol Energy Limited’s entry was a proposal for the construction of a bio-digester to produce electricity and biogas in the slums of Nairobi while Mibawa Suppliers Limited proposal was to distribute IndiGo lights to replace kerosene lamps for low-income households in rural areas. Trans Africa Gas and Electric, PLC, GVE Projects Limited Afe Babalola University emerged winners in Nigeria.
The Off-Grid Challenge is part of Power Africa, President Obama’s initiative to increase access to reliable, affordable, cleaner and more sustainable power in Sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa is also helping ensure responsible, transparent and effective management of energy resources in Sub-Saharan Arica.
The challenge aims to benefit rural and urban populations currently underserved by existing utility companies in the six Power Africa countries consisting of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania. Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja to announce the call for proposals, President and CEO of GE Africa Jay Ireland said: “GE is working with public and private sector stakeholders to provide sustainable, decentralised ways to power more of Africa,” said Mr. Ireland. “Africans know what works in their communities, and this competition encourages these local solutions to power challenges.”
Shari Berenbach, President and CEO of the US African Development Foundation, commended the business leadership of African companies and organizations that are getting power into areas not reached by the traditional grid. USAID is working to pool and leverage commitments of governments and private sector partners and is providing the tools needed to overcome the barriers that have constrained Africa’s power sector and its economic growth and development.
USAID’s Andrew Herscowitz, who serves as President Obama’s Coordinator for Power Africa and Trade Africa, said “Through this grant challenge, we are pleased to be impacting Africans directly, so more people can be powering their enterprises and lighting up their shops, offices, schools, health clinics, and homes. With these mini- and off-grid solutions, Power Africa continues to leverage the possibilities and know-how on the ground with US government and private sector resources to truly grow African communities, cities, and the continent.”
The Off-Grid Challenge, funded by GE Africa, USADF and USAID, will promote innovative solutions that further develop, scale-up or extend the use of proven technologies for off-grid renewable energy. The focus is on delivering power for productive and commercial activities.
