Kowry Energy Commissions Decentralised Solar Energy Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Out of the 672 million people projected to remain without access to electricity by 2030, 85% of the population will be Africans. In a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), 40% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity of which the Covid-19 pandemic saw to the severity of the already 30 million people who had access to energy.
In a bid to fulfilling SDG 7: “affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all”, Berlin-based sustainable energy provider, Kowry Energy has announced in a press release about its operations launched in three sub-saharan African countries: Senegal, Nigeria and Mali – within 16 months of incorporation.
Founded by Ndiarka Mbodji, the energy solutions company together with its major investor, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is geared towards enabling the decentralised energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. It raised its seed round and successfully launched operations in Ghana in 2021 (the year of its launch) – where it disclosed that it’ll be expanding its services to Nigeria and Mali.
The company operates by partnering with customers and local independent energy providers to ensure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are empowered with reliable power at lower costs of hybridization; and local communities have access to energy with off-grid energy systems. Its services include project development, project engineering, procurement, project financing, asset management, among others.
In Senegal, Kowry Energy designed a 10 kWp PV decentralised solar energy system with battery storage for Sud Solar Systems to provide access to green and affordable electricity to two public buildings and seven micro-enterprises within the community of Bani in the Southern part of the country. The system was designed to support income-generating activities to unlock the community’s economic potential.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Kowry Energy partnered with a local energy consulting company, Proserve Energy Services to replace diesel generator demands.
“On behalf of Proserve Energy Services, Kowry Energy designed two 286 kWp PV solar energy systems for a plastic recycling plant and a food processing plant in Abuja, replacing 50% and almost 100%, respectively, of demand mainly from diesel generators. The rooftop-mounted solar systems collectively reduce CO2 emissions by 208,521kg per annum.”
In Djine, an agriculture hub in the cotton belt of Mali, Kowry Energy designed a 69 kWp PV hybrid energy system with battery storage and a backup generator for Access Energie. The project will provide reliable electricity to 3,000 residents, 40 businesses and ten public buildings.
Commenting on the development, the founder and CEO, Mbodji said: “Countries across Africa have resiliently emerged from the pandemic and now face the uncertainty and challenges brought about by climate change, food and water insecurity. We have worked closely with our customers to remove unnecessary barriers to business growth in the local communities they serve; reliable and affordable clean electricity is the backbone of any economy, from which ever-lasting societal foundations can be built, and development can be sustainable. These inaugural projects prove our concept and demonstrate the demand for our unique offering. We look forward to deepening our relationship with our customers and partners in West Africa and to expanding our reach across Africa.”