PIDG CASE STUDIES ON JUST TRANSITION
KivuWatt – Rwanda
The KivuWatt project in Rwanda represents the cutting-edge in energy technology and climate change risk management. EAIF worked with British power generation company, ContourGlobal, to transform the significant hazard of Lake Kivu’s high methane and carbon dioxide concentration into a vital source of affordable, comparatively clean base-load power for the 72 per cent of Rwandans who lack access to modern electricity. By coordinating international expertise and providing $25m of a $196m total investment, EAIF assisted the development of barge technology that can extract methane from the lake bed to fuel a power plant on the shore, before returning any resulting CO2 to the lake to maintain ecosystem balance. The project will more than double Rwanda’s installed power generation capacity.
Ekorent Nopea
In Kenya, rapid urbanisation alongside limited public transport and dependence on fossil fuels has led to congested and polluted cities. Ekorent Nopea meets this challenge through its pioneering, highlyreplicable initiative accelerating access to clean transportation in Nairobi. InfraCo Africa joined forces with EkoRent Oy (EkoRent) to pilot the expansion of its Nairobi-based electric taxi company, NopeaRide. In November 2020, InfraCo
Africa contributed $1.13m (€1m) out of a total investment of $3.23m (€2.85m). This enabled the company to grow its fleet from 30 to 100 electric vehicles whilst also expanding its charging infrastructure; cutting GHG emissions; safeguarding female passengers and drivers; and cost savings increasing drivers’ income by 50%.
Zembo
Like many African cities, Kampala is urbanising rapidly. With limited access to affordable public transport, poor air quality and traffic congestion are now the norm. As a fast, easily accessible mode of transport, the number of “boda boda” motorcycle taxis on Uganda’s roads is expected to increase significantly, potentially adding to existing health challenges presented by urban air pollution.
InfraCo Africa (a PIDG company) has invested in Zembo Motorcycles to provide 2,000 electric motorcycles on a lease-toown basis to local drivers in local currency by 2023 and to expand the network of charging stations, helping to ensure that clean and affordable electric mobility is available to drivers and passengers throughout the city.