Phanes Grouprevealed that Marlon Dos Santos and his 50-MW Kitaka Solar Project in Mozambique as the winner of the first Phanes Group Solar Incubator program. The evaluation session was held at the “Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa 2017” event in Abidjan.
Three shortlisted finalists presented their projects to a live panel, which ultimately selected Asis Energy Solutions’ proposal as most aligned with the competition’s mission to develop solar energy projects with a strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) component.
The Phanes Group Solar Incubator, which identifies PV projects of potential in sub-Saharan Africa and provides them with access to funding, and commercial and technical knowledge, was held in partnership with Hogan Lovells, Proparco, responsAbility, RINA Consulting, and Solarplaza.
Representatives of the partners, including Christopher Cross, Partner at Hogan Lovells’
Emmanuelle Matz, Head of Energy and Infrastructure Division at Proparco; Lee Smith, Project Manager for Africa RINA Consulting; Joseph Nganga, Executive Director at responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding; Martin Haupts, CEO at Phanes Group; and OusseynouNakoulima, representing African Development Bank, made up the evaluation panel that ultimately decided upon the winning project.
“We are proud and excited to announce Marlon Dos Santos as the recipient of our inaugural Solar Incubator program. It was a close match—all the finalists presented high-quality projects with the potential to transform their respective communities. Not only the CSR component of each proposal was the key factor in our evaluation but also the passion of Marlon to bring a project to life in a difficult market where the expertise and the training he will be receiving might be essential to help him to succeed. We look forward to welcoming him to Dubai, and making this project successful, along with our partners,” said Martin Haupts, CEO, Phanes Group.
The winner will get the opportunity to enter a partnership with Phanes Group to co-develop and deliver a bankable project, in which they will holda long-term stake. This partnership will include a two-month blended mentorship program, with a four-day intensive kick-off workshop in Dubai, UAE, and remote sessions with Phanes Group’s team of experts as well as the rest of the Phanes Group Solar Incubator partners. It will also include the funding to bring the project to financial close.