Investment in renewable mini-grids marks major milestone for energy access & low-carbon development in East Africa
Enel Green Power is teaming up with Powerhive Inc. to build and operate mini-grids in 100 villages in Kenya with an investment of 12 million US dollars, 93% borne by Enel Green Power and 7% borne by Powerhive.The project, which Powerhive developed, consists of a portfolio of solar mini-grids with a total installed capacity of 1 MW, to be built in the Western part of Kenya, in the Counties of Kisii and Nyamira. As Powerhive has demonstrated at its existing mini-grids, the electricity service will support the use of productive equipment and critical community services such as health clinics and schools, providing a long term and scalable energy service to meet the current and future energy needs of its customers.
Powerhive’s unique development approach uses the company’s proprietary technology platform to develop and operate portfolios of renewable mini-grid projects in un-electrified or under-electrified regions in emerging markets. “We’re excited to partner with a visionary company like Enel Green Power,” said Powerhive CEO Chris Hornor. “Emerging markets will require major investments in off-grid energy access during the next decade, and this partnership – which combines Powerhive’s proven mini-grid solutions with Enel Green Power’s capacities as a market leading renewables company – is a blueprint for meeting that unserved energy demand.”
Powerhive was the first private utility in the history of Kenya to obtain a concession to generate, distribute, and sell electricity to the Kenyan public.The co-investment reflects Enel Green Power and Powerhive’s long-term commitment to sustainable development through off-grid renewables. The mini-grids will be an important part of western Kenya’s electricity infrastructure for decades to come, supplying the productive energy necessary for economic growth in the region.
