UK-funded African Initiative Invests £60m in 360 Renewable Energy Projects

The Innovate UK KTN, Global Alliance Africa Project, a United Kingdom-funded knowledgebased programme set up to provide solutions to Africa's energy challenge, yesterday said it had so far spent £60 million in over 360 projects in its areas of interest.

Speaking in Abuja during the Energy Catalyst Briefing, launch and brokerage event, the Regional Lead of the Global Alliance

Africa, Sophie West, noted that the initiative was in line with its mandate to provide efficient energy solution to Africa's myriad energy challenges.

She explained that this is being done through the deployment of innovative technology and business models as well as partnership with like-minded initiatives.

“The Energy Catalyst, which is a programme aimed at accelerating the innovations needed to end energy poverty on the continent, is one of the UK’s biggest energy access focused grant funding initiatives, having invested more than £60 million in over 360 projects in eight different rounds.

“The programme will also leverage financial and advisory support, build strategic partnerships and uncover new insights to provide energy solutions to improve lives,” she stated.

According to her, the programme will further help earlyto-late-stage innovators develop market-based technologies and business models that accelerate access to clean, modern and affordable energy in Africa, Asia and the Indo Pacific regions.

West added that the event was to provide ambitious organisations a chance to learn more about the Energy Catalyst and identify or match with potential partners from bioenergy, storage, solar PV, wind, heating and cooling, clean cooking, smart grids as well as novel payment systems.