It is no surprise that the world is becoming a connected village at a faster rate than we can percieve. This connectivity has triggered relationships across races, genders and economies.

Beatrice hops on this week’s episode to shed light on how you and I can balance interests in partnerships. Some of the major subjects of the conversations include:

* The key elements in striking a partnership* Considerations for partnerships of various business magnitude* Partnerships as a means of survival vs a means of thriving

Resources Mentioned

Strategic Partnerships Online Program (IMD)

Get in touch with Beatrice

GuestBeatrice Muthoni NgugiOrganisationInfraCo Africa

Elvis Ssekate, a certified energy auditor who is a member of both the Association of Energy Professionals East Africa (AEPEA) and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) takes us through some of the key components of an energy management system and how they can, in essence, make an impact on African Manufacturers.

Some of the other key points that Elvis takes us through are:

* What energy management systems are* Steps in adopting an Energy Management Systems* Some of the challenges being faced in Africa * Possible solutions to these challenges

Get in touch with Elvis

GuestElvis SsekateWebsitewww.reesqconformitycomEmail [email protected]

With data showing us how the current Coronavirus pandemic has led to restricted movement and a resulting drop in carbon emissions, there is an underlying debate on the future of renewables. The Solar PV industry, which is happens to be the most labour-intensive of all renewable energy installations across its lifetime, is also facing challenges in its cost competitiveness against fossil fuels.

Joyce joins us to bring to light some of the challenges and opportunities that are currently being faced in the Solar PV sector, with Uganda in focus. Some of the other items featured include:

* A highlight of the Uganda Solar PV Industry* Key steps towards setting up commercial Solar PV Installations* How the COVID-19 pandemic is changing project dynamics* Challenges and solutions in growing the Solar PV sector moving forward

Get in Touch with Joyce

Guest Joyce NkuyahagaWebsite https://www.useaug.org/

Associations are a vital mechanism through which countries can accelerate policy and development initiatives. They need to be supported by members through active engagement. Leaders need to be aggressive about their relevance in their respective sectoral associationsIsaac Tumusiime

Isaac Tumusiime joins plays an important role at the Energy Efficiency Association of Uganda (EEAU) and joins us on this episode to share insights on matters including:

* The critical ingredients of an industry association* How associations can grow members* The role of members in growing the association* Vital partnerships that industry associations can leverage to remain relevant* Common pitfalls and possible solutions around engaging industry associations

Resources mentioned in the Podcast

* International Energy Agency* McKinsey & Co. Weekly Insights

Get in touch with Isaac

Guest LinkedIn Isaac Tumusiime Twitter@TI_ByarugabaEmail [email protected]

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What’s in a mark of quality? And how is it different from a brand?

Anne joins us for an exciting episode to dissect the conversation around appliance /equipment quality and why it matters to sustainable economic development. Some of the anchor points addressed in the episode are:

* The difference between a quality marker and a brand* Why brands should care about marks of quality* How the perception around quality markers can be improved

Get in Touch with Anne

Guest LinkedIn Wacera Anne Wambugu

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Kenya brought about a ban on logging back in Feb 2018 in what seemed like a head-on collision between environmentalists and business people and local forest communities that were direct dependents of this value chain.

While the argument was on maintaining and increasing the country’s tree cover to 10% by 2022, mature forests have now been left to rot away and some even getting chewed up by locusts which have been around since the end of 2019, leading to lost revenue for businesses and associated local communities.

The question therefore stands,

Has Kenya’s ban on logging been effective?

Today Dr Francis Ochieng, a Lecturer at the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) joins us to explore outcomes and next steps since the logging ban was put in place.

Highlights of the discussion touch on:

* The latest stats around logging in Kenya* Reasons and repercussions of the ban * What stakeholders are doing to adjust, whether Government action, private sector innovations or a shift in clean cooking technologies at home

Charcoal production can be sustainable, if people approached it from the point of green charcoal value chain i.e. forests grown specifically for charcoal production, embedded with better conversion technologies and improved cook stoves. Much has been done about the cooking technologies, but not much on sustainable charcoal production. Dr. Francis Xavier Ochieng

Resources

* [RESEARCH REPORT] How Kenya can transform the charcoal sector and create new opportunities for low-carbon rural development * [LAWS] Kenya Forest Conservation and Management Act* [REGULATIONS] The Forests (Charcoal) Regulations, Kenya 2009* [REGULATIONS] Forests (Harvesting) Rules, 2009 (Cap. 385)

Contact

Guest Francis Xavier OchiengEmail [email protected] OR [email protected]

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Being one of the youngest nations on the planet, Uganda has one of the strongest economic growth rates in East Africa; 6.3% in 2019 compared to Kenya’s 5.7%. On matters of energy, the country has enjoyed energy generation from renewable sources including biomass, hydro, solar and wind. 

Sumaya Mahomed joins us on another episode of the Africa water and Energy podcast to put a spotlight on what the energy and sustainability space in Uganda is like. 

The main topics from this conversation touch on:

* Energy mix and consumption trends for residential, commercial and industrial sectors* Private and public initiatives to promote sustainability* Biggest market opportunities for local and international investment* Some of the significant hurdles in navigating the country’s energy market, and possible solutions

In summary, it is key for companies or individuals who want to invest in Uganda to leverage synergies and form local partnerships to smoothly navigate the market. The energy space in Uganda is especially prime for innovations around financing and value chain improvement. 

Resources

* Uganda Bureau of Statistics* Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development* Electricity Regulatory Authority* Uganda Solar Energy Association

Contact

Guest Sumaya Mahomed Email [email protected] or [email protected]

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From a 2018 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) finance survey report SMEs contribute close to half of the GDP. This segment employs 80% of Kenya’s working population which includes the informal sector. reports show that about 46% of registered SMEs fold within the first 12 months. This volatility compounded with rising energy costs are what present the opportunity for energy efficiency. By improving how SMEs use energy, these companies can lower their operational costs and pass the benefits to their employees or their customers.

An energy audit is a detailed survey of the energy flows for purposes of conservation. This assessment cuts across industrial, residential and commercial sectors and requiring expertise from backgrounds of electrical, mechanical, thermal engineering as well as general project management.

In episode 24 of the Africa Water and Energy Podcast, Nicholas Gachie joins in to share with us where the energy auditing market is headed and how facilities can take advantage of this exercise to lower their bottom line. 

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Counties are required to have Energy Plans revised every 2 years. As of February 2020, only 10 of the 47 Counties are in the process of putting together their Energy plans. Lois Gicheru

Kenya got its latest review of the Energy Act in 2019. With a myriad of updates touching on establishing an energy authority, to net metering and energy efficiency, Country Governments are also poised to win big from this latest release. 

Lois Gicheru of Solafrique joins us on another episode of the Africa Water and Energy podcast to break down where and how County governments in Kenya can make the most of the new law. Highlights of the conversation include:

* The current state of energy regulations in the Counties* Key highlights of the regulations touching on County Governments* How public and private entities can collaborate at County level* Challenges and possible solutions

The current state of energy regulations in the Counties

Previously, counties were relying on the National Government for regulations and policies relating to energy matters. It also meant that there was little need for Counties’ to have county-specific regulations as they were not mandated to do so. However, with the new Energy Act, Counties are required to have energy plans and policies specific to their realities. These plans are to be implemented, reviewed and updated once every 2 years. 

Highlights of the regulations touching on County Governments

The specific areas include:

* Development of County Energy Plans that take into account locally available resources. This will ensure inclusiveness and energy equity. The plans will also take a least-cost model that is tailored to address income and spatial distribution within the County.                                                                                                             * Setting up renewable energy centers. This will enable technology transfer and knowledge transfer ensuring long term growth of the sector.* Establishment of and energy efficiency and renewable energy fund to promote adoption and maintenance of renewable energy systems as well as promote the adoption of energy-efficient appliances and equipment. 

How public and private entities can collaborate at County level

Contribution by each side might unfold as follows:

* Private sector can bring expertise and work in partnership with the County governments to develop these plans. * Public-private partnerships can also attract funding for these initiatives. County governments can provide access and facilitate the process of developing these plans.

Challenges

⚠️Lack of technical capacity at the county level to develop and implement county energy plans

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In 2017, Africa’s battery market stood at $1.7B. This figure is expected to hit $2.3B by the end of 2023 thanks to the increased demand for electric-powered automobiles in urban areas. Catherine Nyambala is on this episode of the Africa Water and Energy podcast to highlight what this growth means for Kenya. Highlights of the conversation include:

* Why we should care about Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Kenya today* The link between BESS and Electric Vehicles (EVs)* What County governments and local companies can do to make the most of EVs and BESS* Possible challenges and solutions

Why BESS matters to Kenya today

Looking at the national picture there are three major contributing factors:

1. Intermittent sources

Renewable energy projects like wind and solar are thriving. These generators however have intermittent output

2. Grid stability

Kenya’s national grid is still dogged with blackouts and planned brownouts. 

3. Dropping cost of technologies

Solar panels and batteries are becoming increasingly more affordable and with lucrative return on investment. 

The link between BESS and EVs

Battery storage can be coupled with renewable energy sources to offer convenient and of-grid power to electric vehicle charging stations. This technology is accessible to households (for domestic use) as well as commercial players like property developers. 

Opportunities for Counties and local companies in BESS

County Governments can invest in projects like solar street lighting to reduce their overall energy costs. Local companies can also install renewable energy generators on commercial buildings to help improve the ROI of their properties. 

Installing charging infrastructure means that both local governments and even residents can start selling their generated power in exchange for an income. 

Challenges and solutions

⚠️ Waste

Battery and solar panel recycling initiatives are not as prevalent, which could lead to an environmental crisis in the next 15-20 years

⚠️ Skills shortage

Currently, there aren’t enough educational programmes on electric vehicles or large scale battery storage systems. However, training on renewable energy like solar is a promising bridge to more professional development. 

⚠️ Regulations missing

The market is relatively young, and hence no regulations on BESS and EVs. 

✔️ Awareness 

With low market adoption and missing regulations, awareness is the first best step in informing the market on the opportunities. 

✔️ Innovation

Batteries and solar PV recycling companies stand to benefit in the near future. More innovation is needed to attend to waste problem we shall be facing soon. 

Resources

* TESLA Powerpack* E-mobility Conference (21st Feb 2020)* [Free Online Course] Energy Principles a...