GE, Foundation Target Renewable Energy Providers

The United States Afri
can Development Foundation and GE Africa, have initiated the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge, a three-year  $2m  challenge that will award 20 or more grants of up to $100,000 each to African companies and organisations providing off-grid solutions that deploy renewable resources and power economic activities.
To increase electricity access to underserved, marginalised communities in Africa, the United States government agencies and private corporations are working in concert with Power Africa, the White House-led initiative, to drive growth by increasing access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power and by helping to ensure effective management of energy resources.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the off-grid challenge, funded by the USADF and GE Africa, will benefit rural or urban populations currently underserved by existing utility companies.
In addition, the initiative was expected to promote innovative solutions that would further develop, scale-up or extend the use of proven technologies for off-grid energy, it stated.
The President/Chief Executive Officer, GE Nigeria, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo, said the initiative’s focus would also be on delivering power for productive and commercial activities.
According  to  him, African-owned and  operated businesses or organisations that are developing their own technologies, and/or acquiring and installing technology developed elsewhere, are eligible to apply.
Angbazo, who called for proposals from prospective companies, said GE was proud to be associated with the initiative aimed at promoting innovation in off-grid energy solutions.
He said GE was deeply involved in the efforts to energise the power sector in Nigeria. He also disclosed that GE had signed an MoU with the Federal Government to help develop an additional 10,000 MegaWatts of power over the next ten years.
Angbazo said this commitment was achievable by leveraging the GE’s technical expertise pedigree and experience in the sector.
Nigeria and Ghana are the first set of countries to benefit from the initiative.
“GE is working with stakeholders in Nigeria and Kenya to provide sustainable ways to power more of Africa. Nigerians and Kenyans know what works in their communities, and are encouraged in this competition to apply local solutions to the power challenges,” Angbazo said.
The Economic Counsellor at the US embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Douglas Climan, lauded USADF and GE Africa, saying it clearly supported the US government’s Power Africa initiative.
”Through President Obama’s Power Africa initiative, the United States is committed to expanding the grids and helping to ensure transparency in the large-scale energy sector.  The USADF, with its focus on economic development from the grassroots level and African-led and –managed projects, is bringing that commitment to underserved communities “off the grid,” who need power as much as anyone else.  We support this off-the-grid Challenge that will benefit Nigerians with innovative solutions,” Climan added.