5 June 2024: Ignite Power, a leading pan-African provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of a groundbreaking tender for the procurement of 500,000 Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions, including Solar Home Systems (SHS) and Solar Inverters, to cater its growing operations across the SSA region. This initiative marks a significant step towards advancing clean energy access across East and West Africa, empowering communities with reliable and affordable solar solutions.

Having witnessed exponential growth and expansion across multiple geographical territories across the SSA region, Ignite aims to connect 100 million people across Africa by 2030. In the past year, Ignite has completed 3 strategic acquisitions, entering high-potential markets including Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, substantially increasing its Total Available Market and bringing the ambitious goal of connecting 100 million people within reach.

In light of this recent expansion and the anticipated growth trajectory, Ignite is embarking on a structured procurement process, with the objective of procuring 500,000 SHS and solar inverters for its diverse market expansion in both East and West sub-Saharan Africa.

“This tender represents our dedication to expanding access to clean and sustainable energy solutions in underserved communities, everywhere” said Yariv Cohen, Ignite Power’s CEO. “We tirelessly strive to broaden our impact, extend our offerings, and serve more communities in various countries. Achieving our ambitious goals requires strategic partnerships and collaborations, which is precisely our aim with this tender.”

Distributed Renewable Energy solutions have emerged as the most sustainable, affordable, and scalable solution for large-scale electrification projects. In SSA, harnessing the abundant and accessible resource of sunlight has already brought clean, safe, and reliable electricity to millions for the first time. With over 600 million people still lacking access to electricity, solar home systems and inverters are poised to play a pivotal role in Africa’s electrification endeavors.

“Africa’s solar revolution is on the cusp of profound growth and impact in the coming years,” says Cohen. “Being the leading last-mile operation and execution platform in the solar sector, we invite ambitious suppliers who share our vision to participate in this tender and join us in charting the course toward a greener, more sustainable, and inclusive future.”

The deadline for submission of an Expression of Interest is Jun 15, 2024 (7:00 pm GST). For more information on the tender and how to participate, please visit https://ignite-power.com/open-international-tender-2024/.

• This partnership will mobilize investments through innovative financing solutions to scale up private sector-led clean energy generation and distribution in Nigeria.

11 June 2024: RMI, founded as Rocky Mountain Institute, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), a globally focused investment institution set up to receive, manage, and invest funds on behalf of the Nigerian Federation, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to progress climate finance, develop clean energy projects, and propel the broader energy transition goals in Nigeria.

This landmark agreement is set to pave the way for financing clean energy projects in Nigeria, with a particular focus on scaling up private sector-led initiatives in renewable energy generation and distribution, including solar minigrids, embedded generation, battery energy storage systems, e-mobility, and productive use of energy projects in the agriculture value chain.

This strategic partnership is a critical step towards a sustainable future for Nigeria and sets another precedent for collaborative efforts in climate action and energy transition globally. The objectives of the MoU include:

1. Mobilization of climate finance: Jointly mobilize and channel funds towards initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and foster sustainable economic growth.
2. Advancement of clean energy projects: Collaborate on the development and execution of clean energy projects, including solar and other renewable energy sources, to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply in
3. Acceleration of energy transition: Implement strategies to accelerate Nigeria’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon footprints.
4. Capacity building and knowledge exchange: Promote the exchange of expertise and best practices between NSIA and RMI, including technical support, workshops, and joint research initiatives to build local capacity in climate finance and clean energy technologies.
5. Project development and implementation: Identify and support high-impact projects that align with Nigeria’s climate and energy objectives, including renewable energy infrastructure, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable transportation solutions.

While speaking at the signing ceremony, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the managing director and chief executive officer of NSIA shared that “this MoU is another indication of our commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for Nigeria. Partnering with RMI enables us to harness international expertise and innovative approaches to climate finance and energy transition. Together, we will deliver impactful climate adaptive solutions that stimulate economic growth. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to unlock substantial investment opportunities and implement transformative energy projects that will benefit the people and the environment.”

RMI CEO Jon Creyts expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Catalyzing climate finance for the energy transition demands a united front. Collaboration should not be seen as a choice but a necessity in realizing our commitment to close the energy access gap in Nigeria. RMI stands resolute in its dedication to working hand in hand with NSIA forging a sustainable future together.”

Ije Ikoku Okeke, RMI managing director of Catalytic Climate Capital and the Global South, added, “accessible, low-cost local currency finance is the cornerstone of scaling decentralized energy resources in Nigeria and achieving our energy transition targets. By fostering an environment where financing is affordable and aligned with local needs, we empower the people, drive economic growth, and accelerate the shift towards a sustainable energy landscape. Signing this MoU with NSIA marks a crucial step towards accelerating the transition, and we are poised to unlock significant capital, catalyzing sustainable solutions that not only combat climate change but also drive socio-economic progress.”

Suleiman Babamanu, RMI Nigeria program director emphasized, “Empowering Nigeria’s renewable energy revolution and energy transition requires more than just vision — it demands accessible and affordable local currency financing. By combining RMI’s expertise in transforming energy with NSIA’s commitment to local currency financing, we are not only building a greener tomorrow but also empowering local communities to thrive. Together, we are redefining what’s possible and proving that sustainable energy solutions can be both environmentally friendly and financially viable.”

The partnership signifies a significant step toward realizing Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions and accelerating supply of bankable projects through preferred financial investment instruments while addressing the challenges of climate change.

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About NSIA: The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) manages Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund with a focus on building a savings base for future generations, enhancing infrastructure development in Nigeria, and promoting fiscal stability in times of economic stress. NSIA invests in a diversified portfolio to generate sustainable long-term returns and support national development goals through its three ring-fenced funds, the Stabilization Fund, the Future Generations Fund, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund. For more information, visit: www.nsia.com.ng.

About RMI: JRMI, founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, is an independent nonprofit that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut climate pollution at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; Abuja, Nigeria; and Beijing. For more information, visit: www.rmi.org.

20 June 2024: An enterprising team of students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria has clinched the Gold Award in a major clean energy technology competition with their solar power management and diagnostics invention.

Judges were impressed with the students’ Solar Sentry project which uses machine learning and real-time monitoring to track power and voltage, leading to early detection of issues and optimised performance of solar panels and batteries.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, now in its fifth year, encourages students from around the world to help improve the quality of life for communities with underdeveloped or non-existent electricity grids.

Globally, around *759 million individuals lack access to electricity, the majority of them concentrated in the Global South.

Silver Award winners were Strathmore University, Kenya for their solar-powered smart cereal dryer along with Independent University of Bangladesh for their solar-powered gear pump. Students from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria took home a Bronze Award for their solar-powered cold room. Gulu University, Uganda were double winners, scooping two Bronze Awards for their solar-powered water disinfection system and a solar UV sterile storage unit for medical equipment.

A joint entry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria and Tribhuvan University in Nepal was awarded Bronze for a solar-powered milking machine. And a Bronze Award went to University of Rwanda for their automated solar-powered cooling appliance for fresh produce.

The competition attracts aspiring students from around the globe, many hoping to pursue careers in renewable energy once they graduate. This year over one hundred young people from Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, the UK and Zimbabwe took part.

All participating teams must ensure their solution contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy and meets the criteria for innovation, sustainability, social impact and scalability.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is delivered by research and development innovators, Efficiency for Access, in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK and funded with UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform and the IKEA Foundation.

Rob MacIver, Energy Innovation Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “All entrants deserve to be commended for developing sustainable energy technologies that not only address the pressing issue of energy access but will also contribute significantly to our global efforts to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. These projects highlight the potential for clean energy innovations to drive substantial progress towards a more sustainable and resilient future.”

Jolanda van Ginkel, Programme Manager Renewable Energy, IKEA Foundation said, “It’s inspiring to see such a range of creative and practical ideas from these young innovators. The social impact of these projects cannot be overstated and is very much aligned with the IKEA Foundation’s commitment to help create better everyday lives for the many people through access to renewable energy.”

Mike Thornton, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust, joint coordinators of Efficiency for Access said: “The breadth of innovative solutions submitted by students to address real world issues, is impressive. Equipping young people with the skills to develop and implement groundbreaking technologies is essential for driving progress towards a sustainable future.”

*[source: SEfor All SDG7 targets]

25 June 2024: Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Maintenance Agreement covering 169,5 MW of power generation for two Moroccan power plants. The plants are owned and operated by the Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau potable (ONEE), Morocco's public utility in charge of the production, transport and distribution of electricity. This agreement is a renewal of a previous five-year contract for the power plants in Tan Tan and Dakhla, in southern Morocco. Each of these two emergency plants operates with Wärtsilä 46 engines.

The scope of the agreement includes supply of spare parts, major overhauls, and full technical support. It takes effect in Q1, 2024, and will minimise the total cost of ownership of the plants' Wärtsilä assets.

"Our customers value maintenance agreements as they ensure the efficiency, reliability and availability of the power plants. We are proud to have been awarded a renewal of this agreement and continue our long-term relationship with ONEE," comments Patrick Borstner, Director, Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.

The Tan Tan and Dakhla plants are expected to be used to balance renewable energy production with sustainable fuels. Morocco is utilising an increasingly large share of renewable energy, and the Wärtsilä engine technology can reach full output in a matter of minutes to balance the intermittent supply of renewables. Morocco also has an ambitious hydrogen development plan, for which the Wärtsilä engines could be converted to operate with eventually.

ONEE is a long-established customer for Wärtsilä, and has, among its large number of production assets, two power plants operating with Wärtsilä engines in Tan Tan and Dakhla.

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About Wärtsilä Energy: Wärtsilä Energy leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our partners to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system modelling expertise. These cover decarbonisation services, future-fuel enabled balancing power plants, hybrid solutions, energy storage and optimisation technology, including the GEMS Digital Energy Platform. Wärtsilä Energy's lifecycle services are designed to increase efficiency, promote reliability and guarantee operational performance. Our track record comprises 79 GW of power plant capacity and 125 energy storage systems delivered to 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit: www.wartsila.com/energy.

26 June 2024: ENGIE Energy Access, Africa’s leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grid solutions provider, has officially commenced the construction of 15 solar mini-grids in Zambia’s Eastern Province. This initiative is a crucial part of the transformative Increase Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) programme, funded by the 11th European Development Fund and the European Union.

By expanding the adoption of off-grid energy solutions in Zambia, ENGIE Energy Access will provide reliable electricity to underserved families and small businesses, creating economic growth and increasing socio-economic welfare in local communities.

MySol Grid Zambia, a unit of ENGIE Energy Access, is responsible for constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining these mini-grids. This ensures that residential, commercial, and productive-use customers have access to dependable and renewable power along with value-adding services.

“We are excited to announce this significant milestone, which brings ENGIE Energy Access closer to achieving its goal of operating 60 mini-grids across five provinces in Zambia. This project supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, by delivering affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean energy to 40,000 people living in rural areas. Our work is an important element of the national electrification plans, and we are committed to collaborating with the authorities to expand energy access and promote sustainable development in Zambia,” said Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of ENGIE Energy Access.

The first sites in this groundbreaking project include: Lusinde, Kandongwa, Nyimba Mwana, Chidiwa, Chataika, Kanyanga, Petulo, Kasamba, Chidiwa, Mphole, Mung’omba, Kalambana, Mtore, Kondwelani, Lunga, and Luamphande and are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2024.

In 2023, MySol Grid Zambia signed a USD 7.5 million debt facility with Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), managed by Cygnum Capital. This funding will provide the company with the necessary resources and flexibility to construct a total of 60 mini-grids under the IAEREP programme. This is a significant step for the mini-grid sector, with these assets having attracted non-recourse long-term financing.

ENGIE Energy Access established its presence in Zambia in 2017. It currently has over 250 employees, 650 independent sales agents, and more than 60 points of presence across the country. The company has sold over 300,000 shs kits and has 1 mini-grid operational in Chitandika.

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About ENGIE Energy Access: ENGIE Energy Access is the leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa. The company develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGO solar home systems are financed through affordable instalments and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1,800 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), 2.5 million customers and more than 12.5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to impact 20 million lives across Africa by 2025. For more information, visit: engie-energyaccess.com.

1 July 2024: Trinasolar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, participated in the Africa Energy Forum held in Barcelona, Spain, from June 25-28, 2024. This premier event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of energy in Africa. Trinasolar's sponsorship underscores its commitment to supporting sustainable energy development across the continent.

Zaheer Khan, Trinasolar's Regional Director for South Africa, was a distinguished speaker at the exclusive Corporate Leadership Roundtable titled "Energy Systems of the Future – Balancing Africa's Needs with Global Goals." This pivotal discussion, attended by over 40 industry experts, addressed critical topics such as increasing the scale and pace of projects and investment in Africa, the role of decarbonization policies in enhancing private sector participation in energy-intensive industries, and the impact of global climate goals on Africa's investment capabilities for its future.

Trinasolar's comprehensive solar solutions are designed to meet these challenges head-on. The company's portfolio includes industry-leading Vertex N modules with advanced n-type i-TOPCon technology and 210mm product technology platform, the state-of-the-art TrinaTracker system, and cutting-edge energy storage solutions. These innovations ensure optimal performance and adaptability to varying project requirements, providing reliable, cost-effective, and scalable solar solutions. Trinasolar aims to significantly advance the solar energy sector in Africa, facilitating the continent's transition to renewable energy and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Zaheer Khan commented: "Trinasolar is thrilled to participate in this influential forum and contribute to the dialogue on Africa's energy future. South Africa is a key market for Trinasolar, and the company is dedicated to advancing solar energy solutions that not only meet the growing energy demands but also align with global sustainability goals. Trinasolar's latest innovations in solar technology are designed to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and support the continent's transition to renewable energy."

With abundant solar resources and a strong need for sustainable energy solutions, South Africa is poised to be a leader in solar energy deployment. Trinasolar's advanced photovoltaic (PV) technologies and comprehensive energy solutions are tailored to meet the unique energy challenges and opportunities in South Africa. Trinasolar's participation at the Africa Energy Forum will provide a platform to showcase the company's latest products, foster partnerships, and engage with stakeholders to drive the renewable energy agenda forward.

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About Trinasolar: Founded in 1997, Trinasolar Co Ltd (stock symbol: Trinasolar; stock code: 688599) is engaged mainly in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy comprises mainly PV power generation and operations and maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. We are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future.

On June 10, 2020, Trinasolar was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE). It was the first PV and energy storage company to go public on the STAR Market providing PV products and systems, as well as smart energy. For more information, visit: www.trinasolar.com.

4 July 2024: Odyssey Energy Solutions, an end-to-end platform for financing, procuring solar equipment, and operating distributed solar assets, announces a new credit offering, Construction Credit, designed for solar companies.

Construction Credit addresses a significant challenge faced by EPCs and developers: the need for upfront capital to procure equipment and execute projects. Construction Credit provides solar companies with off-balance sheet working capital that aligns with their project payment milestones, giving EPCs and developers the working capital they need to procure equipment and deliver projects, with the flexibility to make repayments once the project is commissioned.

Maxime Eon, Odyssey’s Vice President of Revenue explains, “having spent a decade of my career as a developer, I know the frustration of trying to line-up the right capital to cover equipment costs, months – or years – before the end-client pays. Construction Credit aims to fill the gap, making it possible for solar companies to take on more projects.”

To begin, solar companies can access credit of up to $5M per project, with a 15-50% downpayment. Interest rates are determined on a project-by-project basis. Once a solar company has been onboarded to the Construction Credit platform, they can access on-demand credit for additional projects.

This credit solution was presented as part of the World Economic Forum’s South Africa Energy Transition working group, a unique public-private collection of 50+ energy and finance experts who collaborated to identify barriers to clean energy investments and surface policy, and non-policy solutions to increase the flow of clean energy capital for South Africa. You can learn more about Construction Credit here.

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About Odyssey Energy Solutions: Odyssey Energy Solutions is a climate tech company transforming distributed energy globally with the goal of bringing low-carbon power to the 3.5 billion people worldwide whose electricity needs are unserved or underserved. Odyssey offers an end-to-end solution to finance, procure equipment for, and operate distributed energy projects at scale across the globe. The company is facilitating more than $1.6B of finance into the sector, delivering tools and services to over 2,600 developers and is backed by leading investors. For more information, visit: odysseyenergysolutions.com.