S06 ATR August 2022 Power Solutions_ATR - New Master Template 2016 27/07/2022 16:48 Page 24
POWER | INTERVIEW
Beyond access African Review (AR): How did you get to where you are today? Ndiarka Mbodji (NM): With more than 22 years working in Europe’s industrial sector, 16 of which were in power generation, I realised my experience would make a transformational difference back in Africa, where I come from. I wanted to provide reliable and affordable energy to the bottom to middle of the demographic pyramid across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Coming from the power industry, some things were clear: There is no technical challenge, as decentralised systems are proven technology and have been for over 200 years. Instead, we should define a bettersuited business model to industrialise the decentralised energy sector. This can only be achieved by working collaboratively with local energy producers, leveraging the transformative power of energy to deliver bottom-line profitability and greater value to the end-user. AR: What is Kowry Energy offering that differs from other micro-grid operators and developers? NM: The sub-Saharan market is dominated by developers, delivering energy access one project at a time. We believe that access is the means to economic development and, as such, should be scaled as fast as possible. With 700mn people unserved, delivering energy access one project at a time is not effective. Kowry Energy bundles these small projects into portfolios, removing complexity and risk through standardisation and full supplychain management. This approach enables local energy providers to connect with more customers faster at lower
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Image Credit: Kowry Energy
Kowry Energy is a new, decentralised energy service provider spun out from Rolls-Royce Power Systems that offers solutions to independent energy suppliers in sub-Saharan Africa. Its mission is to go ‘beyond access’, but what does that mean? African Review talked to Kowry Energy founder Ndiarka Mbodji to find out more.
Kowry Energy aims to enable the decentralised energy sector in SSA to thrive.
costs, clearing the road to go ‘beyond access’. This bridges the gap between energy access and incomegenerating activities to ensure sustainable growth in demand and long-term energy usage, unlocking opportunities for local economies. Using AI-based predictive modelling from the data generated, we provide insights to local energy providers, helping them identify the right products and services for the end-users of a specific community.
industrial sector. As we are all committed to achieving net zero, it is crucial to recognise the importance of gas as a vital transition energy source, which one day can be replaced by hydrogen or other e-fuels. And, it would be impossible to meet the societal and industrial demands of the continent with 100% solar or other renewable energy sources, given the prohibitive price and supply of energy storage.
AR: What equipment and technologies are your solutions requiring? NM: Kowry Energy is technology agnostic. We select and integrate the most appropriate and reliable technology at the lowest costs. We standardise the design for a portfolio of projects and deliver each asset with digital solutions, such as remote monitoring and smart metres for improved asset management. The countries of SSA are blessed with a powerful solar resource, which makes installation of hybrid solar and energy storage the prime system for a community’s electrification. There are cases when a mix of solar and gas is more suitable, such as powering the
AR: Which projects have you undertaken so far, and what is in the pipeline? NM: We have just completed four installations in our launch countries, Mali and Nigeria, and are now rolling out our portfolios in these countries. We look forward to entering Kenya and Ivory Coast in the second half of this year. Currently, our pipeline is for 60MW to be delivered within the next five to eight years.
AFRICAN REVIEW OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY | AUGUST 2022
AR: What challenges are you expecting to face, and what strategies do you have to counter these issues? NM: Whether big or small, energy projects remain infrastructure and capex intensive, the weight of which
is primarily carried by private equity. The main challenge I see remains the speed and scale of private equity participation in a market that requires a US$220bn investment over the next decade. Our portfolio approach, combined with a collaborative model, which maximises each player’s capabilities across the value chain, provides private equity with a more sizeable vehicle with less risk and greater longevity and return. AR: What do you hope will be achieved at ‘Africa’s’ COP27 this year? NM: The fact that Egypt is hosting COP27 is a recognition of Africa’s pivotal role in achieving global net zero despite its relatively minuscule contribution to global emissions. Yet, Africa is disproportionately suffering from climate change. Needed immediately is help with adaptation; it is estimated that SSA will need about US$50bn a year for the next decade to protect itself. At COP26, developed nations reiterated their pledge to give developing countries US$100bn per annum with a greater proportion for adaptation over mitigation. Worryingly, there is doubt this pledge will be fulfilled, with war raging at the doors of Europe and inflation skyrocketing to a level unseen for 70 years (ironically driven by energy prices). I hope COP27 will secure the promises for developing nations and that such pledges are seen as investments that will benefit everyone globally. Leaders must see the opportunity in the challenge. There is only one Planet Earth. If Africa is not part of the net zero solution, there won’t be any ‘net zero’. ■
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