Rolls-Royce Power Systems has invested in renewable energy mini-grid systems company, Kowry Energy, as the company expands across Africa. The company has announced plans to launch in Mali and Nigeria this year. The Berlin-based company also welcomed former British Africa Minister, Lord Bellingham, to its Board of Directors.
Kowry Energy supplies independent energy companies with decentralized energy systems that includes solar power systems and battery energy storage systems. Their systems ensure that energy challenged communities and local industries in Africa have access to clean and reliable energy.
“The African market for decentralized energy supply offers great potential. The geographical conditions provide the best opportunity to build a climate-friendly, local power supply for industrial and community customers that operates with minimum of fossil fuels. As a young company, Kowry Energy can adapt to the realities of the fast-growing African energy market,” the company commented in a statement.
Partnership with Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce says as investor and industry partner for Kowry Energy, they will provide the company with a strong positioning in the market. “The start-up can rely on our support and know-how in implementing their projects,” explains Power Systems CFO Louise Öfverström on the investment.
“We believe that solving the climate challenge facing our planet will only succeed with the inclusion of the 600 million people of Sub-Saharan Africa living without energy today. This requires innovative business-models that enable sustainable energy access with scale and speed. With a scale-based business model and Rolls-Royce Power Systems as our investor we are confident that Kowry Energy will achieve this,” explains founder Ndiarka Mbodji.
In cooperation with local independent power providers and operators, Kowry Energy will supply energy solutions using photovoltaic systems and battery storage for demand of up to 1MW. This minimizes the use of fossil fuels and makes optimal use of the climatic conditions in Africa. Kowry Energy supports its customers every step of the way; from project development & design to sourcing the equipment and offers its customers fully integrated hybrid solutions.
Africa is one of the most important growth markets and the demand for reliable, renewable and affordable energy will increase massively. That’s where Kowry Energy comes in. The business model has convinced me,” says former British Africa Minister Lord Bellingham, who alongside Rolls-Royce Power Systems CFO Louise Öfverström, and German-African Business Association Chairman, Prof. Dr. Stefan Liebing, forms the Board of Kowry Energy.
“We are excited to be launching this year in Mali and Nigeria and to see our business model validated by a current projects pipeline of $17 millions and growing rapidly, and I look forward to welcoming more investors committed to sustainable energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa”, says Mbodji.
