Energy

BII commits US$75mn to green projects

BII commits US$75mn to second Green Basket Bond with Symbiotics Investments to finance small-scale green projects in Africa, South, and South-East Asia. (Image source:

British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution and impact investor, has committed US$75mn to the second Green Basket Bond, arranged by Symbiotics Investments, a leading platform for emerging markets and financial lending

This green lending program aims to increase financing for small-scale green projects across Africa, South, and South-East Asia, with a particular emphasis on India. It will support new MSME lenders not included in the first Green Basket Bond.

Building on the success of the initial Green Basket Bond issued in 2022, this initiative will utilise Symbiotics' global network and BII's 76-year legacy as an impact investor to support an additional 10 to 15 MSME lenders who require smaller investment capital than BII typically provides directly.

These MSME lenders will focus their lending efforts on small businesses that usually struggle to secure funding, especially for green projects. As with the first Green Basket Bond, the funding will be directed toward green projects in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, green buildings, agriculture, forestry, and more.

Samir Abhyankar, managing director and head of financial services, British International Investment, said, “Partnering with Symbiotics on a second green basket bond signifies a continued commitment to empowering smaller financial institutions and supporting sustainable development in climate-vulnerable regions. Channelling capital to where it is most needed, not only supports local businesses and projects but also contributes to global efforts in building resilience against climate change. The expansion of this programme is a testament to the positive impact and success of the initial partnership. We look forward to continuing working with Symbiotics to further efforts to mobilise more private capital into this space.”

Yvan Renaud, CEO of Symbiotics Investments, added, “We are very grateful to British International Investment for partnering with Symbiotics on this second green basket bond. We share the view that financing dedicated MSME lenders and reaching smaller local businesses and projects strongly contributes to the effectiveness of climate finance. We hope that this second green basket bond will have a catalytic effect on the mobilisation of capital for similar projects that play a key role in successfully tackling climate change and its consequences.”

ABB and Cleanwatts innovate energy management

AI-driven energy-sharing platform will be integrated with ABB energy management technology. (Image source: ABB)

ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation technology, and Cleanwatts Digital s.a. have entered into a memorandum of understanding to develop advanced energy management and efficiency solutions for communities and buildings

Their focus is on creating scalable projects in key European markets, empowering users and property managers to optimise energy use sustainably through intelligent monitoring and control solutions.

The collaboration aims to integrate Cleanwatts' AI-driven energy-sharing platform with ABB's energy management technologies, including the Insite energy management system, energy meters, sensors, and electric vehicle chargers. By leveraging their combined expertise, the companies will deliver unified solutions that streamline renewable generation, storage, and energy-efficient operations.

Community members stand to benefit from reduced energy costs through optimised consumption of self-generated renewable energy, lower electricity connection fees by minimising peak power demands, and enhanced efficiency of renewable equipment such as energy storage systems. The partnership also enables seamless local energy management, asset and load control, demand response incentives, and access to energy trading practices.

“Working together, the companies will provide a joint solution marrying ABB’s energy management technology with Cleanwatts’ AI-driven energy-sharing platforms benefiting communities and their residents in key markets,” remarked Laura Socci, global portfolio manager for Energy Distribution Digital Solutions at ABB. “This landmark partnership offers the most advanced energy management optimisation solutions benefiting energy community managers and investors.” 

“We are dedicated to reshaping communities and industries towards a sustainable and efficient future. This partnership allows us to enhance our software solutions with ABB’s energy management portfolio, creating a seamless integration that will optimise energy consumption and drive sustainability,” said Luisa Matos, CEO of Cleanwatts. “Together, we will shape the future of sustainable energy, revolutionising energy management and leading the way in the energy transition.”

This partnership follows a successful pilot project at the smart community development in Brobyholm near Stockholm, Sweden, where ABB, Cleanwatts, and other partners provided tools for residents to efficiently manage their energy consumption.

New solar mini-grids to power rural Zambia

ENGIE Energy Access starts mini-grid construction in Zambia. (Image source: ENGIE Energy Access)

ENGIE Energy Access, the leading provider of Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) and mini-grid solutions in Africa, has begun constructing 15 solar mini-grids in Zambia's Eastern Province

This initiative is 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.

Rural power expansion

By expanding the adoption of off-grid energy solutions in Zambia, ENGIE Energy Access aims to deliver reliable electricity to underserved families and small businesses, fostering economic growth and enhancing 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 initial sites in this pioneering project include: Lusinde, Kandongwa, Nyimba Mwana, Chidiwa, Chataika, Kanyanga, Petulo, Kasamba, Chidiwa, Mphole, Mung’omba, Kalambana, Mtore, Kondwelani, Lunga, and Luamphande, with operations scheduled to commence by the end of 2024.

In 2023, MySol Grid Zambia secured a US$7.5mn debt facility from the Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), managed by Cygnum Capital. This funding will enable the company to construct a total of 60 mini-grids under the IAEREP programme, marking a significant advancement for the mini-grid sector with long-term, non-recourse financing.

ENGIE Energy Access established its presence in Zambia in 2017, currently employing over 250 staff, 650 independent sales agents, and maintaining more than 60 points of presence nationwide. The company has sold over 300,000 solar home system kits and operates one mini-grid in Chitandika.

Kenya's first RLSF-covered geothermal project

ATIDI and Globeleq boost Kenya’s renewable energy with pioneering geothermal initiative, reinforcing regional sustainability goals.

On the opening day of the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) and Globeleq Africa Limited announced their partnership for the 35MW Globeleq Menengai Geothermal Project

This collaboration involves providing liquidity cover via the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF).

RLSF, a credit enhancement tool available to renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs) selling electricity to state-owned power utilities, is a joint initiative by ATIDI, the KfW Development Bank, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). This support is extended to ATIDI member countries that sign the RLSF Memorandum of Understanding.

RLSF: Catalysing energy transformation

The Menengai project, the first in Kenya to receive RLSF cover, is valued at US$117mn. It is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Eastern and Southern African Development Bank (TDB), the Finish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund), and equity from Globeleq. The RLSF policy will mitigate the risk of payment defaults by Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC), the latter being a government entity promoting geothermal resource development in Kenya. GDC will supply steam to the project under a 25-year agreement, while the electricity produced will be sold exclusively to KPLC over the same period. Additionally, the project has received a Letter of Support from the Government of Kenya.

Kenya, which hosts ATIDI’s headquarters, is the tenth member state to sign the RLSF MoU, joining Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. The MoU fosters collaboration between ATIDI and its member states to identify, develop, and implement renewable energy projects, leveraging each country’s resources to generate clean energy and strengthen power infrastructure. RLSF policies have so far supported seven renewable energy projects across Burundi, Malawi, Uganda, and now Kenya, facilitating US$323.7mn in financing and 171.3MW in total electricity generation capacity, backed by US$20.6mn in cover under the RLSF portfolio.

Kenya's power sector, enriched by an active private sector and abundant renewable resources such as hydro, wind, and geothermal, is set to expand its electricity generation capacity from 3,078MW in 2023 to 5,000MW by 2030. Geothermal projects are crucial to this expansion and the country’s renewable energy targets. ATIDI’s RLSF initiative plays a key role in ensuring the stability and feasibility of these projects, aiding Kenya in its quest to achieve 100% clean energy by 2030.

Manuel Moses, CEO, remarked, "We are proud to collaborate with Globeleq, KPLC, GDC, and the Government of Kenya on this transformative project. This partnership, coming so soon after the signing of the RLSF MoU in February 2024, underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable development and promoting renewable energy solutions across Kenya and the region. Together, we are driving positive change and advancing Kenya's energy transition. Given Globeleq’s huge and growing portfolio of renewable energy projects across the continent, we look forward to building on this partnership.”

IRENA and Africa50 advance African renewables

This partnership aims to enhance sustainable development and advance climate action initiatives throughout the continent. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has formed a significant partnership with Africa50, a leading pan-African infrastructure investment and asset management firm

As part of this agreement, Africa50 has committed up to US$100mn to support and co-finance renewable energy transition projects and infrastructure across Africa through IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform. This partnership aims to enhance sustainable development and advance climate action initiatives throughout the continent.

The agreement was signed on the margins of the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna by IRENA director-general, Francesco La Camera and Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobissé.

"For the first time in a decade, the most recent data show that the number of people without access to electricity has increased significantly," said La Camera. "With Sub-Saharan Africa representing the majority of those impacted, we must be diligent and committed to urgently addressing this growing issue. Renewables represent the most effective, climate-safe solution available, and this partnership with Africa50 will be pivotal in strengthening the ETAF Platform’s impact across Africa."

Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50 said, “The continent must focus on the dual goals of reducing emissions and accelerating economic development. Investing in and developing transformational renewable infrastructure is a critical step to achieving net-zero. The IRENA ETAF platform will be an important launchpad to scaling and accelerating our investments into renewable projects that will ultimately reduce the negative impact of climate change on our people and help build a more sustainable future”.

Established in 2021 with backing from the United Arab Emirates, the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform aims to scale up renewable energy projects that align with developing countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It seeks to enhance energy access and security for communities, promote economic growth, and foster diversification.

Africa50's recent involvement has expanded the ETAF Platform to include 14 partners, collectively pledging US$4.15bn. This growth underscores its status as a leading inclusive financing platform for transitioning to renewable energy. The partnership capitalises on IRENA's global membership to attract project proposals through the ETAF Platform and Africa50's expertise in project development and equity financing.

In September 2024, IRENA plans to co-host the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) Investment Forum with the Kenyan government. This event aims to facilitate connections between project developers and potential financiers through a curated matchmaking program. It will showcase projects from APRA partners and other international organisations in support of APRA's development objectives.