BURN Manufacturing and SteamaCo, cleantech companies operating in Kenya, were chosen as winners of this year’s Ashden International Awards, the world’s leading green energy awards. The Awards were presented at a ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
BURN Manufacturing has created a technically advanced stove that halves fuel use compared to commonly used Jiko stoves, improving air quality in the home and reducing deforestation. It has created an inspirational product and an affordable payment system that people trust. All
manufacturing takes place in its new state-of-the-art factory in Ruiru, close to Nairobi.
BURN was commended by the judges for not for just producing a great charcoal stove that saves women time and money, but also employing women in significant numbers, enabling them to increase their economic independence and improve their position in society.
SteamaCo developed software and hardware that enables micro-grids powered by renewable energy to be controlled remotely. For the first time, some of Kenya’s remotest villages are benefitting from enough electricity to power lights, charge mobile phones and allow small businesses to start up. SteamaCo’s innovative system allows customers to pay with their mobile phones, with any problems quickly identified so people aren’t left without energy.
The Ashden judging panel commented on SteamaCo: “Steamaco has developed an
innovative product that’s helping to take energy access in off-grid rural
areas to the next level. By developing hardware and cloud-based software to
remotely monitor energy use and track payments, it has unlocked one of the
key barriers to making micro grids investable.â€
BURN Manufacturing won the Ashden Award for Clean Energy for Women and
Girls, supported by UK aid. SteamaCo won the Ashden Award for Business
Innovation, supported by Citi. They each receive funding of £20,000, plus
tailored support to help them expand their businesses.