Eight off-grid lighting (OGL) distributors in Kenya will be able to take their products even further. Russian-funded, World Bank sponsored, and operated by ESME Trust Fund grants were awarded to eight off-grid lighting (OGL) distributors in the East African country.
Launched in June last year, the grant competition is Funded by the Russian Federation through the World Bank, and operated under the ESME Trust Fund. This initiative forms part of GVEP’s support to Energy SME to accelerate the development of commercial OGL markets in Kenya. Hensolex, One Degree Solar, Renewable Energy Ventures, Smart Solar Kenya, Solataa Ltd, Sollatek electronics Ltd, SunnyMoney Kenya, and Mibawa Suppliers were recipients of the grant that was first launched in June 2013. The initiative aims to support Energy SME Development in sub-Saharan Africa to foster local private entrepreneurship and invest in the provision of energy services in remote, unserved, or under-served regions. The grant also forms part of Global Village Energy Partnership’s (GVEP) support to Energy SME to accelerate the development of commercial OGL markets in Kenya.
Each winner was required to submit proposals including targets for product sales, a sustainable business plan, measurable milestones, an environmental sustainability plan, detailed budget, and procurement plant. GVEP provided business advisory services to the applicants in order to improve the quality of the proposals.An Independent Evaluation Committee consisting of eminent professionals drawn from diverse fields with a bias towards renewable energy, rural business, and finance provided an objective assessment of the proposals.
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