VERD Q.I. CEO Sabine Christiaens went to Kenya  to develop further the renewable energy business in East Africa. See below her interesting experiences:

I just have come back from a 6 weeks trip in Nairobi. The trip has served me to get a better idea what is going on in the renewable energy market in Kenya and East Africa.

I already visited Kenya 2 years ago to check out the possibilities of developing projects, in particular PV solar projects. After seeing the different stakeholders like ERC, Ministry of Energy, KPLC, I tried to start up with some partners the development of solar PV projects. However talking to the different parties, we came to the conclusion that it was too early and that the market was not ready, especially not the investors.

 Although the legal framework (FIT policy for solar) has not changed meanwhile, it can be said that there is much more activity now on all levels.

I had the chance to talk to all stakeholders: investors, developers, EPC contractors, module and inverter suppliers, debt financers, etc. And I have come to the conclusion that a lot is going on in the market.

A lot of international investors have meanwhile established an office in Nairobi to follow up closely the deals in East Africa, and of course there are the classic IPPs which have been in Kenya already for a long time and who are entering also in the renewable energy market. Centum Investment Company (together with other foreign investors) is working on a 70 MW geothermal project and a lot of large solar PV projects are under development, some of them in the last stage for signature of the PPA.

 The different IPPs are working hard to insure a viable pipeline in renewable energy in East Africa. Most of the time these are grid-tied projects, but there is definitely an interest also for captive solar PV projects. Definitely worth to follow up on this market.

Talking with different developers, I have noticed their enthusiasm to work on the development of these projects. Some of them were quiet advanced and I was surprised by their professionalism. Others have started well, but definitely need help from people with more experience in the sector. They are working on different technologies, like solar PV, hydro, wind and even waste to energy is gaining importance.

 The renewable energy market is definitely gaining importance, although there is still a long way to go and we still need to surpass different challenges, not only on the production side, but also on the distribution and transmission side. There is a shortage of electricity in all East African countries. Daily power cuts in Nairobi are still common.

 It has been great meeting all the different business partners and I am sure that projects will kick off and things are on the right track.

I would like to thank all the business partners for their time and dedication. It has been great meeting them and I am sure that the basics have been founded for future business!

 Any interested business partners can contact me on:

 Sabine Christiaens