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EDITOR’S NOTE

Africa’s renewable energy potential

frica’s vast potential for renewable energy could outstrip the continent’s projected electricity demand in 2030, according to new research. The paper, “Strategic siting and regional grid interconnections key to low-carbon futures in African countries” maps the potential for new wind and solar farms in 21 African countries. At present, Africa has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world. A report from the World Bank Group and the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that the speed of electrification in Africa is failing to keep pace with a rapidly rising population. The report details that of the 1.06 billion people across the world who still lack access to electricity, 45 per cent reside in Rural Africa – with a further 10 per cent spread across African cities. According to the Sustainable Energy For All Forum, just 37 per cent of Africa’s population had access to electricity in 2014. Africa has huge untapped resources for renewable energy – namely wind and solar power. Well-chosen sites coupled with interconnectors that allow resources to be shared within and between countries could enable Africa’s rapidly growing electricity demand to be met with renewables at a similar cost to conventional fossil fuel generation, according to the authors of the paper. Energy demand in Africa is expected to grow exponentially; the study forecasts that for an area encompassing 50 per cent of Africa’s population, the collective demand will exceed 1,000 terawatthours (TWh) by 2030 – almost triple the figure for 2010. The declining costs of wind and solar has already fuelled growth in renewable energy generation in a number of African countries. In Kenya and Ghana, the levelised cost of wind power is already roughly equal to hydropower. To expand the adoption of renewable energy throughout the continent, the paper’s authors developed a tool to map the best available new sites

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for solar and wind power in 21 different countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. According to the analysis, the maximum potential for wind and solar power across all 21 nations surpasses the estimated electricity demand in 2030 by at least a factor of two. The results indicate that Djibouti, Libya, Swaziland and Tanzania will be able to meet 30 per cent of their demand with accessible, low-impact, and cost-effective wind sites. Similarly, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe could meet 30 per cent of their projected 2030 demand with domestically-produced solar photovoltaic (PV). However, for Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, South Africa and Zambia meeting 2030 targets will “require investing in transmission extensions to access lower-cost PV resources or importing from neighbours”. The news follows the announcement of Facebook and Microsoft’s collaboration with investment firm Allotrope Partners and more than a dozen implementing partners and observers to develop an innovative facility to finance energy access projects in India, Indonesia and East Africa. The new Microgrid Investment Accelerator (MIA) seeks to mobilise around $50 million from 2018 to 2020 in order to reach those communities across the globe living without access to electricity. In North Africa, the Tunisian government has announced it plans to invest $1 billion towards the installation of 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in 2017 – while in Algeria the government is set to launch a tender for the construction of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totalling 4 gigawatts (GW). In this issue we look at how various countries in Africa are leading in this front. Welcome! Editor

DISCLAIMER: The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in the journal. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Circulation Ken Kilozo Ben Ogola Marketing Executives George Otieno Liz Kyalo

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INSIDE

inside ... COVER STORY

Africa wind power potential

Cumulative wind power capacity in Africa stood at 5.5GW by the end of 2018.

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6. Financial close reached

on Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Malindi solar project

7 Kenya banks on new geothermal power line to curb leakages 7. Britam Tower features in Emporis Skyscraper Award 8. Exploring Palm Exotijca, Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Upcoming MegaSkyscraper 10. Rwanda plans construction of US$5 billion green city 11.Wind Power investment in Africa surges

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14. The Rising Demand for Total Stations and Terrestrial Laser Scanners 22 Construction safety 35. SA lacks high-speed transport, Monorails could put us on track for the future 42. How a more integrated approach could help to end energy poverty

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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / July2019 Issue

INSIDE

FEATURE

How technology is changing land surveying

The way we carry out Land surveying has been changing over the years thanks to emerging technologies that have made the profession much easier and efficient.

How Kenya can profit from renewable energy

Providing reliable, affordable and sustainable access to energy has become a core focus of the international development community and is the seventh goal of the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Laminate Flooring: Why they are becoming trendy

Hydropower

cities 40 How are tackling

the global affordable housing crisis www.cceonlinenews.com

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Financial close reached on Kenya’s Malindi solar project

Globeleq, a power sector leader in Africa, has reached financial close of the 40 MWAC (52 MW p) Malindi Solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Malindi, Kenya and is commencing construction of the plant. The US$69 million project is located in Langobaya, Malindi District, Kilifi County, about 120 kms northeast of Mombasa and is one of the first IPP owned utility scale solar power plants in Kenya to begin construction. Electricity will be sold through a 20-year agreement with the national distribution company, Kenya Power. Globeleq has been working with the project origi-

Why talks on Bagamoyo port stalled

An official from the Tanzania Port Authority(TPA) has said that talks on the construction of a mega port have stalled because of the unfavourable conditions from investors. Deusdedit Kakoko, the director general of TPA said that the conditions denied Tanzania an opportunity to reap maximum benefits from the project. Speaking to local media, Mr Kakoko said that some of the conditions that the investors put

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

nator, Africa Energy Development Corporation (AEDC), who will retain 10% ownership of the project, and its partner, IDEA Power, to bring the project to construction by providing equity, project development and construction management experience. CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, as the mandated lead arranger, has sourced US$52 million in debt financing including $20 million from DEG, the German development finance institution. Paul Hanrahan, Globeleq’s CEO said: “The attractive investment climate combined with strong local community support sets the stage for this important project as well as future investments in Kenya. We are extremely pleased to be making this investment into the Kenyan energy sector.’’ Zohrab Mawani, AEDC’s Director added: “AEDC is excited to have reached this significant milestone with the Malindi project. Working with our partners, we are very pleased to contribute to sustainable economic development in Kenya and look forward to continued growth in Sub Saharan Africa.” The Engineering, Procurement and Construction company, Sterling and Wilson Solar is commencing with civil and electrical construction works. Land rights, environmental and local permits have been obtained, and the project team has been conducting regular community consultations. Construction will take around twelve months with the plant reaching commercial operations in mid-2020. It is expected the project will need around 250 workers during construction, many of which will be hired from the local community. Globeleq will oversee the construction and operations of the power plant. forward included;that they be allowed to set charges for cargo passing through the port, tax exemptions on some goods and compensation for losses incurred during the implementation of the project. Construction of the port is being carried out through a collaboration of China and Oman. Also to be constructed around Bagamoyo area are over 190 industries, including the manure processing industry that will be put up by the government of Oman. When fully developed, the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone will attract about 700 industries to become a strategic investment zone in East Africa. The Bagamoyo port and its affiliate industrial zone is meant to address congestion at the old port and support Tanzania to become East Africa’s leading shipping and logistics centre. The port is located about 75 kilometres from Dar es Salaam and 10 kilometres from Bagamoyo town. Mooted in 2013 by retired president Jakaya Kikwete, construction of the port has been hit by delays mainly associated with issued to do with funding. Upon completion, Bagamoyo Port is expected to be the largest in East Africa.

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Kenya banks on new geothermal power line to curb leakages

Kenya hopes that a new geothermal power line that will transport electricity to the western part of the country will curb leakages and save it a fortune, Fernandes Barasa, the Managing Director at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has said. The 300km high voltage line, with the benefit of less power losses, is set for completion early next year and will connect Counties in Western Kenya to geothermal power plants in Olkaria, Naivasha. “The line, once complete, will save at least Sh. 2 billion that is lost via technical losses in the current 132kV lines that are overstretched at the moment. Further savings will come from the shutdown of the current thermal generator at Muhoroni,” said Mr Barasa. Olkaria geothermal hub in the Rift has surplus electricity, some of which is sitting idle due to lack of enough transmission lines, a situation the country seeks to turn around. “The project will, therefore, offer an evacuation route for the geothermal power from Olkaria to West Kenya and also provide voltage support to the region,” said FCPA Barasa. Reliable power supply to western is expected to ignite activity, ensuring uninterrupted operations for factories, businesses and households. The expected overall impact of cheap geothermal supply to western Kenya is lower bills for consumers across the country since power tariffs on the national grid are harmonised regardless of location and energy source.

The 300km Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu line runs from Naivasha steam fields through Eldoret to the lakeside city of Kisumu. The Sh18.2 billion West Kenya project is financed by Japan through JICA and expected for completion by April 2020. Contracted firms are Kalpataru, NARI Group and Sieyuan. It’s split into three lots: The first lot involves construction of a 400 kilovolt (kV) line from Olkaria to Lessos (213km) with a capacity to carry up to 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Lot two runs from Lessos to Kisumu, a distance of 77km with the 220kV cable capable of carrying 400 MW of power. The final lot involves construction of substation extensions at Olkaria, Lessos and Kisumu (Mamboleo), with a new switchyard at Kibos which will be crucial in providing feeders and offering Kisumu County with alternative supply, creating redundancy, hence less downtimes. In 2017, the Coastal region equally started receiving geothermal power following the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi line that is connected to Olkaria steam fields. Before that, coastal towns fully relied on expensive electricity from diesel generators stationed at the coast. KETRACO is the agency behind construction and operation of high voltage transmission lines (132kV and above), with those below falling in Kenya Power’s domain. www.cceonlinenews.com

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Baker Hughes, a GE company, launches Multimodal Facility Expansion in Angola

Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE: BHGE) has announced the inauguration of its multimodal facility (MMF) for oil and gas in Luanda, Angola. The facility, with its additional capabilities across multiple product lines, will deliver a suite of products and services across the oil and gas value chain. It will serve as a hub to support customers and projects in Angola and Southern Africa region, and will also serve customers on a global scale. The strategic location for this multipurpose facility puts BHGE in close proximity to serve important projects in the region. This will enable BHGE to provide faster response and mobilization to customer sites, and reduced product and service delivery costs based on economies of scale of a one-stop shop. For customers, it means access to an expanded product and services portfolio under one roof, cost savings and efficiencies, and overall, shorter project timelines. The Luanda facility will service BHGE’s product company capabilities in Oilfield Services, Oilfield Equipment, Turbomachinery & Process Solutions, and Digital Services. In addition to subsea infrastructure manufacturing and installation, the facility now also delivers a broad range of oilfield services, well construction and drilling services, wellbore intervention, wireline services, completion services, aeroderivative turbomachinery, power and compression technology and maintenance services for upstream production facilities (i.e. oil platforms and FPSOs), midstream plants (i.e. LNG) and downstream (i.e. refineries). This infrastructure investment in Angola is a testament to BHGE’s localization strategy in the country and region. The hub’s operations will be run by a majority of highly skilled Angolan employees, further entrenching people and skills development in the industry and the country. “BHGE is the only fullstream technology and service company, supporting oil and gas operations in Angola,” said Ado Oseragbaje, president, BHGE Sub-Saharan Africa. 10

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

“We have operated in Angola since 1958, and this latest investment in the country further cements our unique position in the market and offers our customers access to world-class technologies and services, spanning the entire oil and gas value chain to help their business.” He added, “beyond serving our customers, this facility is another big step in our localization journey and our long-term commitment to the African region.” Facility Details The multimodal facility is located at the Sonils Integrated Logistics Base, Luanda. With the additional investment, the MMF builds on BHGE’s track record and established capabilities in subsea tree assembly and testing. The facility has added additional indoor turbomachinery overhauling services for gas turbines, and an outside storage area that can withstand up to 10T/SQM load capacity. Other capabilities include subsea tree assembly and testing, sand control, wellbore intervention wireline, surface logging services, drilling services, completion services, wireline services, cementing services, coring services, sand control services, upstream chemicals. Other services and products available at the facility are reservoir development services, aeroderivative turbomachinery technology supply and services, offshore field installation and onshore support, rental tool maintenance and certification. In addition, inspection, recertification of H4 connectors and drilling risers, maintenance and storage of customer-owned equipment and tubular fabrication repairs can also be serviced from this facility. The facility’s multifaceted offerings will provide easier access to all as aspects of oil and gas operations and with its location in the Sub-Saharan Africa region and in particular, the fast-developing basins in Southern Africa. This will enable quicker turnaround times for customers on equipment delivery, maintenance and repairs, and overall, shorter project lead-times.

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Kenya plans Africa construcdouble-decker tion sector set road in capital city to grow A double-decker road linking Kenya’s main airport to its major highway in the capital Nairobi will begin September,a top transport ministry official has said. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has said that upon completion the double-decker road will significantly ease traffic jam witnessed at Mombasa highway, the only road connecting the airport and the Central Business District. Construction of the road project will be carried out by China Road and Bridge Corporation. Motorists who intend to use the express way to escape the heavy traffic jams will have to pay toll charges to help the private firm building the road recover its investments. “Road construction will commence in September 2019, and will take two years to complete,” said Mr Macharia. A dedicated lane will also be contructed on the double-decker road, to accommodate the largecapacity buses to further ease congestion. The proposed elevated dual carriageway is to be built in three phases. The World Bank estimates that Nairobi traffic jams cost Sh50 million in lost productivity a day. Parliament in 2008 approved the construction of a 77-kilometre double-decker road in Nairobi under a 30-year build-operate-transfer deal that allows private firms to invest in a public project and operate it for an agreed period to recoup their investment and profit before handing it over to the State. The World Bank, in a recent report, said Nairobi residents on average spend an hour to travel to work and another 60 minutes commuting back home due to traffic congestion on the city’s roads. The road will come with multiple interchanges at intersections on Popo-Kapiti, Lang’ata-Lusaka, Bunyala, Rhapta and James Gichuru roads.

Mace’s latest Market View for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reports that construction activity is forecast to grow across the region, despite a number of significant risk factors that threaten to limit economic growth in the region. While the overall outlook for construction activity in SSA is reasonably strong, with growth forecast at an average rate of over 6% per annum over the next two years, there is notable variation across the region. This variation, driven in part by the complex political and economic challenges in each nation, creates an element of uncertainty that has the potential to destabilise markets and restrict growth. This is particularly the case in SSA nations with high levels of foreign denominated debt. On a more positive note, ambitious, large-scale social infrastructure programmes are expected to support further growth, with the housing and energy sectors set to attract significant funding across the whole of SSA. Ethiopia, one of the region’s largest markets, is leading the charge, with construction activity forecast to achieve double-digit growth through to 2020. There’s also positivity elsewhere, with construction activity in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda also forecast to grow over the medium-term. And, amid a return to economic growth, prospects for construction in South Africa may improve as well; although the upcoming general election is causing a temporary hiatus in public sector spending. A reflection of Mace’s expanding presence in SSA – including through joint ventures with cost consultancy companies in South Africa (MMQSMace) and Kenya (MaceYMR) – the latest report provides an overview of the region, as well as detailed economic analysis of the construction sectors in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda and Ghana. Simon Herd, Managing Director, MaceYMR, said: “The cautiously optimistic outlook for construction demand across SSA comes at a time when the costs of construction materials are rising and contractor capacity is already stretched. Together, these factors suggest that upwards pressure on construction costs in SSA will continue over the medium term, which will create a challenging procurement environment.”

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Record growth in renewable hydro witnessed in 2018-report More than 21.8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable hydroelectric capacity was put into operation last year, according to the 2019 Hydropower Status Report which is published today on the eve of the World Hydropower Congress. Government ministers from Canada, Indonesia, Nepal, Uganda and Uruguay contributed policy interventions to the sixth edition of the Hydropower Status Report, each emphasizing the need for investment in renewable energy, and especially hydropower, to help countries achieve sustainable development. Electricity generation from hydropower projects achieved a record 4,200 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2018, the highest ever contribution from a renewable energy source, as worldwide installed hydropower capacity climbed to 1,292 GW. China added the most capacity with the installation of 8,540 megawatts, followed by Brazil (3,866 MW), Pakistan (2,487 MW), Turkey (1,085 MW), Angola (668 MW), Tajikistan (605 MW), Ecuador (556 MW), India (535 MW), Norway (419 MW) and Canada (401 MW). Brazil has now become the second largest producer of hydroelectricity by installed capacity, reaching 104.1 GW in 2018, surpassing the United States at 102.7 GW. The world largest hydropower producer is China with 352.3 GW of installed capacity. The Hydropower Status Report, published by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), is an authoritative guide to key trends in hydropower development. Compiled by IHA’s team of analysts, the report presents latest capacity and generation data from more than 200 countries and territories. The 2019 edition of the Hydropower Status Report presents research into the multiple services provided by hydropower, the importance of building resilience to climate change, and the role of digitalization and regional interconnections in bringing efficiencies to clean energy generation. With pumped hydropower storage capacity reaching 160.3 GW in 2018 (up 1.9 GW on 2017), the report also calls for the market framework and regulatory treatment of this clean ‘water battery’ technology to be reformed, especially in liberalized markets. In total, 48 countries worldwide added hydropower capacity in 2018. The report shows that East Asia and the Pacific once again added the most capacity, with 9.2 GW installed last year. This was followed by South America (4.9 GW), South and Central Asia (4.0 GW), Europe (2.2 GW), Africa (1.0 GW) and North and Central America (0.6 GW). “Four years on since the Sustainable Development Goals were agreed at the United Nations in 2015, governments increasingly recognize hydropower as playing a vital role in national strategies for delivering affordable and clean electricity, managing freshwater, combatting climate change and improving livelihoods,” write IHA Chief Executive Richard Taylor and IHA President Ken Adams in the foreword to the report. The Hydropower Status Report is released ahead of the World Hydropower Congress in Paris, 14-16 May 2019, which draws more than 700 delegates from over 70 countries to the French capital. The high-level event is organized by IHA in collaboration with more than 40 partner organizations. The event will bring together a broad spectrum of delegates interested in hydropower development, including leaders from business, government, civil society.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

Rwanda plans construction of US$5 billion green city

After launching construction of Kigali Innovation City, one of Africa’s biggest tech hubs, Rwanda is now planning construction of a model green city in the capital Kigali in 2020. The green city will sit on 620 hectares in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District complete with a system that prevents environmental degradation and air pollution. Engineer Eudes Kayumba, Deputy Team Leader of the Green City pilot project which was launched last year, told local media that the city – which would be the first in Africa – would be equipped with green technologies and innovations for green and climate resilient urbanisation. “The project aims to showcase the viability of green cities in Rwanda and elements that could be replicated in the development of secondary cities across the country with green technologies and innovations for green and climate resilient urbanisation,” said Mr Kayumba. It will include clean technologies, electric vehicles, electric bicycle and motorcycle lanes, renewable energy, sustainable waste treatment, biogas plants, urban forests, mini-factories with clean technologies, affordable housing and integrated craft production centres, he disclosed. The state will also have mini-factories with clean technologies, affordable housing, integrated craft production centres. With financial support of the German Development Cooperation through the KfW Development Bank, Rwanda Green Fund (Fonerwa) is undertaking a feasibility study and Sweco, a European engineering and architecture firm is supporting in the implementation. Different contractors will take part in the project, he said. For instance, under the Cactus Green Park project, 410 houses with green spaces will be developed by Horizon Group Ltd on 13 hectares of land while Rwanda Social Security Board will develop affordable green houses on 125 hectares. “When studies get completed later this year, we will start implementation of the project, beginning with key infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads which will also benefit neighbouring communities,” Kayumba said. “Communities around the green city will be part of the broader green ecosystem while a section will be earmarked for low income earners.”

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Wind power investment in Africa surges-report South Africa helped catapult Africa’s investment in wind power to new heights in 2018, latest report from global think-thank Wood Mackenzie has shown. The report dubbed Africa wind power market outlook 2019‘ says that South African government signed longpending PPAs in April 2018, which helped independent power producers (IPPs) to announce final investment decisions (FID), according to new research from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. The report also reveals that construction activity in South Africa will peak at more than 1GW of capacity in 2020 and 2021 as developers race to operationalise projects that were awarded through bidding window 4 in 2015. In the longer term, the country’s Integrated Resource Plan is expected to target more than 10GW of additional wind power capacity through 2030, while President Ramaphosa’s proposed reforms for the power sector will create a more favourable environment for renewable energy deployment. “Africa’s most industrialised economy, South Africa, boasts its largest wind power market, with 2.1GW of operational capacity as of Q1 2019. Issues with governance that took place in 2016 and 2017 were bad news for the local wind market, as no new additions were recorded in 2018. However, installations are expected to recommence in 2019 with 130MW of new capacity additions on tap, though potential project delays jeopardise that capacity and limit any upside potential for additional capacity. Growth prospects improve thereafter, with more than 1GW of capacity expected in 2020 and 2021 combined. This outlook is supported by ongoing construction activity, peaking in 2020 as IPPs race to achieve commercial operations,” said Sohaib Malik, Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables Senior Analyst. Africa’s maturing project pipeline will drive growth Developers only commissioned projects in 4 markets in Africa during 2018. “The 310MW Lake Turkana project, the largest single installation on the African continent, was connected to the grid in Kenya after a year-long grid construction delay. Nareva Holding built the 205MW Aftissat wind project, utilising SGRE turbines. Lastly, the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) of Egypt commissioned the final segment of its Gulf of El-Zayt extension, adding 120MW of capacity in 2018. Cumulative wind power capacity in Africa stood at 5.5GW by the end of 2018. “Africa’s wind project pipeline stands at 18GW as of Q1 2019. The project realisation rate, however, remains low in the region due to a host of challenges faced by developers. As some governments took measures to address these issues, the regional market is expected to recover and grow exponentially between 2019 and 2021. This growth is underpinned by a five-fold increase yearon-year in turbine order intake in 2018 and 6.5GW of wind capacity in advanced stages of development. The scale of the development pipeline underlines the ability of the continent’s largest wind markets to grow in a sustained manner, providing a blueprint for emerg-

ing markets to tap their wind potential and fuel economic growth,” added Mr. Malik. Regional market expected to replicate global trend of tenders for future growth Inconsistent policy measures have historically plagued wind market growth in Africa, however that is beginning to change. “We are observing a growing momentum behind the development of long-term incentive mechanisms to support the regional wind market. Competitive procurement has proven to be the favoured tool of policy support, with South Africa and Morocco introducing auction programs in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Tunisia solicited bids for wind IPPs in 2017, while Kenya and Ethiopia are contemplating the launch of auctions for future installations. These developments mirror global trends where competitive procurement regimes have resulted in lower tariffs in many countries. Notably, this trend may be less impactful in emerging markets, which are expected to grow by less than 800MW of capacity through 2028, as auction volumes may not be sufficient to draw the attention of global wind industry leaders,” stated Mr. Malik. Egypt and Morocco reinforce long-term growth prospects, more clarity required The National Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) maintained market leadership in Egypt in 2018. This is expected to change with the commissioning of the 262MW Gulf of Suez project in 2019 by an Engie-led consortium. “Several leading international developers are executing projects with anticipated commissioning in the near future. Consequently, a wind IPP market will be established in Egypt with 1.3GW of capacity. Similarly, the commissioning of 1GW of wind capacity in Morocco, awarded between 2012 and 2016, will enhance IPPs’ role in this market. It’s necessary for both countries to take measures to consolidate their success. For example, Morocco needs to introduce new rounds of auctions no later than early 2020s and the Egyptian government should implement a more rigorous policy framework for the long-term development of its wind power market,” said Mr. Malik. Wind market growth in emerging markets to take roots As more governments introduce long-term plans to support wind power and heed investors’ concerns, private sector confidence in emerging market will continue growing. “For example, IPPs in Tunisia were lukewarm to proposals due to concerns regarding the PPA’s terms – which were deemed unbankable by financiers and developers. The government addressed these concerns by revising the contentious terms. On the back of making these amendments, the government received substantial interest for the 620MW of capacity it will award before 2020. Similar favourable developments in countries including Ethiopia, Tunisia, Kenya, Algeria and Ghana offer a combined 6.2GW wind market opportunity for developers and OEMs through 2028,” added Mr. Malik. www.cceonlinenews.com

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DURACOAT FLOSEAL

For floors that can take on anything, you need Duracoat Floseal Epoxy Floor coating. Made for medium to heavy duty industrial and decorative flooring, Floseal gives your surfaces excellent wear and tear resistance to keep them looking great for a long time. Duracoat gives you a variety of floor costing options to choose from namely Duracoat Floseal SL, Duracoat Floseal SF500 and Duracoat Floseal SF100. Duracoat Floseal SL is a self-Leveling Epoxy floor coating system for protection of concrete floors where a smooth, seamless, dense, impervious finish with good stain resistance is required. Floseal SL is formulated for ease of maintenance, superior impact resistance and toughness. It can be applied at various thicknesses from 2 mm to 6 mm. Not only does it provide excellent impact resistance it also provides excellent adhesion, wear and chemical resistance. Floseal SL is mostly recommended for Laboratory floors, hospitals, restrooms, power plants and in food and beverage processing plants. Duracoat Floseal SF500 is a two component, solvent free epoxy floor coating which can be easily cleaned and has high surface hardness, mechanical and chemical resistances. It provides a medium gloss, seamless surface that is hard wearing and durable. It has an excellent wear and tear resistance and suitable for medium to heavy duty industrial and decorative flooring. It has great resistance to chemicals, acids and solvents. The coating can also be applied to provide a non-slip texture and may be top coated if required. It is best suited for car park flooring, Aircraft hangers, shopping centers, warehouses and areas where heavy forklifts and corrosive chemicals are of concern. Floseal SF100 is a single component floor coating based on new hybrid binder technology that can be easily cleaned, has good scratch resistance, high hardness and high abrasion resistance. It provides a medium gloss surface that is hard wearing and du14

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

rable. It has an excellent wear and tear resistance and suitable for medium duty industrial and decorative flooring. Floseal SF100 can also be applied on exterior floors. It is advised to take the following precautions with all the above: • Do not use water or steam in the vicinity of the application. Moisture can seriously affect the working time and other properties. • Application equipment must be cleaned immediately after use with scouring pads and Epoxy thinner. • Avoid contact with all liquid amine and resin as they may cause skin and/or eye irritation. • The use of safety glasses and impervious gloves is required during mixing and application. • Use only with adequate ventilation. It is also advised to Store the product in ambient conditions that are well ventilated and are away from flames. It is also key to avoid eye and skin contact. In case of eye and skin contact one should wash the contact area with clean water. It is also advisable to not inhale the product and in the event of this happening it is important to move to an area with fresh air. Lastly it is important to use appropriate personal protective equipment. The 3 different products all have their own unique substrate conditions, pot life and application procedures. It is important for you to consult with Basco paints or a certified Duracoat paint technician before application in order to achieve the best possible finish for your floors. When it comes to strong floors that can take on anything, Duracoat Floseal is here to give you the best possible results. In the event of any questions or queries don’t be afraid to ask the experts via our helpline +254 0800 221331.

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Why Kenya SGR is a major transformation factor Since its completion, the SGR that runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to capital Nairobi has contiunued to tranform lives boosting tourism and small towns in the area.

The China funded Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) linking the Kenyan capital Nairobi to the port city of Mombasa has revitalized growth of small town along its 480 kilometers corridor since its launch on May 31, 2017. Kenya’s modern railway line that has been described as a game changer in transport, regional integration and cross border trade, will later extend to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Locally, it has shortened the passenger travel time from Mombasa to Nairobi from 10 to four hours, whereas the freight trains complete the journey in less than eight hours. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) began construction of phase one SGR project in October 2013 and managed to create 30,000 local jobs. At the bustling Voi town located about 329 kilometers south east of Nairobi, the SGR project has become anonymous with an economic windfall that has been felt by residents. Janet Oben, Taita Taveta County chief executive officer for Tourism, said the SGR has raised the vis-

ibility of Voi town, which has lately been receiving a high number of tourists. “Convenience and comfort has seen to it that many tourists travelling to Mombasa stop at Voi and visit many of our scenic attractions and cultural centres before they continue with their journey,” said Oben adding that SGR has improved relationship among investors and working class communities. “Someone can depart Nairobi in the morning and have a meeting in Voi at lunch hour and leave in the afternoon. Before, people would book flights to Mombasa and travel by road to Voi. The SGR has saved travel time to most tourists and business people, “She added. Oben said that economic vitality of Voi town has been accompanied by job opportunities for the youth. The county official said plans are afoot to launch a marketing campaign to showcase investment opportunities within Voi town in strategic areas like tourism and agro-processing. Japhet Njagi, assistant shift attendant at Voi www.cceonlinenews.com

There is also some new developments in the housing sector, which has happened because of the SGR as many people moved to invest in this area station, said before the SGR arrived, the town was in a sleepy mode, a factor which has drastically changed. “As you can see, the town has experienced huge growth since the SGR arrived two years ago. Even the GDP of Voi town has grown considerably, a positive move that can be attributed to the trains that stop here,” Njagi told Xinhua. The 29-year-old’s day job includes arranging of shifts to make sure passengers are accorded efficient services at the station from the booking office to the waiting room and ensure they get the best experience up to the time they board the train in line with regulations. Njagi started working in Voi station in 2017, the same year the SGR commenced operations. “Our number one priority is safety because of the train’s speed, so basically we are the passengers’ stewards, “said Njagi. He said tourism is on the rise and that so many tourists pass through the station heading to Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks, adding that Voi is the best place to be for the youth. Jacob Odhiambo, 19, who studies at Taita Taveta University, said he uses the SGR because of speed, convenience and comfort.

“I have used SGR for the last one year and it has opened up the transport sector, especially roads that link to the station which have been developed to ease movement of commuters,” said Odhiambo. WAj Ringera uses the SGR whenever he is traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa because it is convenient and fast. “Time is money so when I board the SGR, I spend only four hours, as opposed to a bus that takes more than six hours, so it saves time, which in return helps the economy of Kenya,” said Ringera. “It also cuts by half the cost of travel, but many people haven’t yet realized it. I wish it can continue up to Kisumu or the border of Uganda where it can save a lot of people,” he added. Anderson Mjomba Mshila, a tuk-tuk driver, has positive view of the the SGR because he earns a living ferrying passengers from the station to their destination. “There is also some new developments in the housing sector, which has happened because of the SGR as many people moved to invest in this area,” said Mshila. “Since the arrival of the SGR I can make a profit of over 1,000 shillings daily (about 10 U.S. dollars) and this is after catering for the daily expenditures, so in a good day I make over 25 U.S. dollars,” he added. William Lewa Mawowo, a taxi driver, said he can ferry a customer from the SGR station in Voi to their respective destinations and earn extra coins. “So the least I can say is that business is good,” said Mawowo. Augustine Mwanake, general manager of Voi

BRIEFS

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FEATURE

Wildlife Lodge, said tourism has for the last one year been on the rise with visitors who book online traveling to the facility using SGR passenger train. “Majority of our visitors come from Europe, especially Italy, Germany and Poland. Some come for a one day stop-over after visiting the park whereas some spend their weekend with us,” said Mwanake. Meanwhile Construction of the 120km NairobiNaivasha standard gauge railway (SGR) is 90 percent complete, 16 months after work on the project started. Already residents have started seeing fruits of the project even as construction progresses. Residents of semi-arid Kajiado County located south-west of Kenyan capital city Nairobi are the latest beneficiaries of a water project by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) that is implementing Phase 2A of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project linking Nairobi to the resort town of Naivasha. Elected leaders from Kajiado county and representatives from the CCCC recently attended the ground breaking ceremony for the Kimuka Community Water Aid Project stemming from the adjacent 4.5-kilometer long SGR tunnel. Guo Qing, Deputy General Manager of the CCCC Kenya SGR Project, said a partnership with Kajiado county government has paved way for construction of a water project that will boost access to the commodity among households. The contractor was proud to be part of the development of this particular water project that will enable about 5,000 people in Kimuka area and the larger Kajiado County to access clean water, according to Guo.

He said that the CCCC will construct two tanks with a capacity of storing 1,600 cubic meters of water that will later be supplied to local households in the semi-arid region where pastoralism is the main economic activity. Guo said that the CCCC has been on the frontline of offering solution to water supply challenges in Kajiado and other semi-arid counties along the SGR corridor as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Joseph Ole Lenku, the Governor of Kajiado County, hailed the launch of a project that will help address acute water scarcity and transform livelihoods of local farmers and pastoralists. “We are glad to witness launch of a project that will be critical in addressing water scarcity in Kajiado County. It will help meet rising water demand in our fast growing urban centers,” said Ole Lenku. Currently, only about 35 percent of households in the expansive Kajiado County have access to clean water. Ole Lenku said his administration will ensure that 60 percent of households have access to clean drinking water by 2022.

Time is money so when I board the SGR, I spend only four hours, as opposed to a bus that takes more than six hours, so it saves time, which in return helps the economy of Kenya

JUBILEE AFRICA GROUP world class construction services

Construction and infrastructure development Housing Projects Roads Water and Sewerage Projects Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering

Therapy House, ICIPE Road, Off Kasarani, Mwiki Road, Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone: +254 713 222221 E-mail: info@jubileeafrica.co.ke

Registered with the National Construction Authority as a contractor in the following categories; o Building Works NCA 5 o Road Works NCA 6 o Mechanical Engineering Services NCA 5

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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

ARCHITECTURE FEATURE

Interview: Urko Sanchez Architects

SOS Village Djibouti. Photo: Javier Callejas

Many thanks for having time to talk to us kindly tell us how the company started.

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Urko Sanchez began his architectural studies in 1988 driven always by a huge passion for travel. “I’ve been in more than 50 countries.” From Canada to Argentina, from India to Sierra Leone, Urko has seen a great deal of the world. Consequently, travel has informed much of his life and his work – all of the colors and art and people and cultures he’s been exposed to adding to a sense of what Urko wanted to build for himself and others. As part of his studies, Urko began participating in different architectural endeavors with NGOs. One of my first assignments was on the border of Somalia and Kenya. Urko continued to offer his expertise in different conflict zones. Then Urko went to an island off the coast of East Africa and fell in love. “Lamu was a completely peaceful break from all of the high-conflict countries I’d been working in. He decided to set up a base there and made his living in Lamu as an architect. He worked and lived in Lamu for over 8 years where he built different private residence and hotels, And that’s how Urko began to expand his specialty, expanding more and more into Swahili architecture with a modern twist.

How has the company grown over the years?

During those early days in Lamu, Urko started to be appointed for bigger projects along the Kenyan cost and decided to move to Mombasa where he set his base for another few years. Once in Mombasa, the office grew big with a mix of national and international team from different backgrounds and got its first international recognition and awards. He was even invited to exhibit part of his work at the Venezia Bienale. Even though the office grew big Urko had to deal with the uncertainty of developments in Kenya and therefore expand its range of work to other countries; first among the East African Region: Tanzania, Ethiopia… and then worldwide: Middle East, West Africa…. Nowadays Urko Sanchez Architects became an international recognized architectural practice with offices both in Nairobi and Madrid.

What are some of the challenges that Urko Sanchez Architects has faced in the practice

Uncertainty is one of the biggest challenges of building in Africa: East African region had gone through some rough moments in the past few years where investment and developments would change form one year to the next. Some of our projects were interrupted due to the lack of stability in the region www.cceonlinenews.com

FEATURE

and then took over after a few years. That lack of continuity makes it difficult to keep the momentum of the project and the correct progress of the building site. On the other hand, we have built projects in remote locations where the scarcity of building materials, or the lack skilled workers was a challenge itself.

How has architecture evolved over the years

It has become globalised. This can be viewed in two ways: On one hand this globalization can be viewed in a wrong way in the sense that the same building can be found in Australia, China, Uganda or Canada without taking into consideration the climate consideration, orientation or local materials. On the other hand, there are some patterns, that are becoming a global trend which we believe are positive for the architecture evolution. For example the introduction of green elements in the design, the consideration of the energy consumption of the building and the construction site itself, the use of local materials, the integration into the surroundings… All this had always been basic pillars of our office design

How does customer taste and preference vary from location to location?

We believe it is a matter of the client and his/her expectations on the project more than the location itself. When a great project happened is when client and architect trust each other and work together in the same direction which is the one that benefits the project and the final user of the building.

What is the inspiration of your designs?

The firm is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, and for each project, the team considers the cultural roots of the structure, and how the building will be best integrated into its environment; the view, the indigenous materials, and the flow of the surroundings. Hallmarks of Urko Sanchez projects include contemporary twists on traditional architecture; a green aesthetic that harnesses wind and solar power and recycled water; and leveraging natural architecture to showcase natural light, and frame private gardens and open courtyards.

How has Urko Sanchez Architects managed to stay competitive in the face of competition?

Our projects range in size, complexity and function. In all cases, however, the focus is on the client and the context, with a tailor-¬crafted approach to each unique project. The team at Urko Sanchez Architects is flexible, multicultural and boasts stellar local and international track¬ records. Principal Urko Sanchez has a wealth of experience, having traveled extensively along Africa and accomplished projects in multiple contexts. Urko uses his broad experience to craft an innovative and versatile architectural outlook for every unique project. The team focuses on working closely with clients to create tailor-¬made projects, and faithfully interpret their vision. Above all else, the firm values client trust, and unparalleled quality in the expression and execution of its ideas. Moreover, our team includes external specialists such as environmental consultants, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, landscapers etc who help us address specific environmental subjects such as wildlife protection, noise 20

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

Urko Sanchez

abatement, transport engineering, energy efficiency and so on.

What are some of the notable projects that Urko Sanchez Architects has undertaken? Red Pepper House in Lamu, Kenya – one of Urko´s first project. It is built only with local materials and workers, and the building the carbon footprint is practically cero. It has been awarded with different international Awards such as: Young Architects in Africa, 2014 - Winner Architectural Association of Kenya, Best Hospitality Industry Project 2013 - Winner Fibra Awards 2018 - Winner SOS Children Village in Tadjourah, Djibouti – One of our most challenging projects due to the remote location and the scarcity of resources Architecture for Social Gain 2015, South Africa – Merit Certificate ArchMarathon Awards 2016, Mixed Tenure Buildings - Winner Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 - Shortlisted (on going) Swahili Gem in Mombasa, Kenya - Enveloped in a mashrabiya structural shell, an structural challenge to build without access to advanced technology. The building is distinctive in its creative design, ensuring privacy and optimizing natural ventilation and lighting. Architectural Association of Kenya, Best Residential Building 2017 – Winner Vipingo Club House in Mombasa, Kenya International Property Awards Africa - Best Golf Development Kenya 2013 - Winner

What is the future of Urko Sanchez Architects

We would like to contribute to the development of Africa in a direction that is respectful with the environment and understands the context, by generating innovative proposals inspired in the African tradition. Hopefully, we will attract clients who understand the added value a good design brings to their development. And at the same time we want to keep contributing to social oriented projects and use our knowledge to assist those who need it the most.

FEATURE

How technology is changing land surveying

he way we carry out Land surveying has been changing over the years thanks to emerging technologies that have made the profession much easier and efficient. A few years ago the only tools available to surveyors were; optical levels and theodolites (a precision instrument used for measuring angles both horizontally and vertically). The use of electronics improved these tools such that levels could now read bar-code staves while theodolite angle reading became digital. Alignment lasers speeded up some levelling and alignment functions in construction. Electronic distance measurement technology was added to electronic theodolites to create total stations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are now seeing more sophisticated surveying that entails use of aerial vehicles such as drones to do mapping. This technology has allowed timely completion of projects as well

The biggest challenge facing surveyors is keeping up with technology, and maintaining their relevance as many instruments are now so automatic that in some cases can be operated by untrained and unskilled operators-Mr Beattie

as enhancing cost efficiency,â&#x20AC;? says Dave Beattie Director of Autobuild Africa a survey equipment specialist based in South Africa. With drone technology a single survey can do what used to take an entire team of people to accomplish.While GPS is used in a wide variety of industries, land surveyors were some of the first to take advantage of the technology. GPS (Global Positioning System) is the name given to the satellites owned and maintained by the United States Department of Defence. There are now satellites belonging to Russia called Glonass, Europe called Galileo, and China called Bei Dou. The term used for the use of GPS plus one or more of these other systems is called GNSS. Another technology that is now in use is LIDAR which enabled distances to be measured to any surface. This became an extra tool in total stations, then standalone terrestrial scanners, airborne scanners, and mobile scanners. Nowadays LIDAR is combined with www.cceonlinenews.com

FEATURE

Although technology has cut down on the need for workers in some industries, land surveyors are still in high demand. Photographic or imaging techniques and complete 3 dimensional models can be created with real colours. However, the biggest challenge facing surveyors is keeping up with technology, and maintaining their relevance as many instruments are now so automatic that in some cases can be operated by untrained and unskilled operators, offers Mr Beattie. And as surveys become more detailed and advanced techniques such as 3D modeling become commonplace, how we store data will become absolutely important. It is therefore necessary to work with a service provider who offers an end-to-end data solution to ensure that stored data is secure and will be available when and where it’s needed. Another piece of technology that has changed the profession is robotic total stations. These remote control devices allow surveyors to measure angles, distances, and more without traveling to each point themselves.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

This can save time and money, and also cuts down on the amount of workers needed and the manual labor that the job typically requires. Although technology has cut down on the need for workers in some industries, land surveyors are still in high demand. Smart, capable people who understand this technology and can use it to get the job done are always needed. demand. Smart, capable people who understand this technology and can use it to get the job done are always needed. “For many tasks, conventional surveying will still be needed. Even using the most advanced hi-tech equipment, trained surveyors are needed to ensure accuracy and standards are maintained,” notes Mr Beattie. “But new instruments combining photography, Lidar, robotics, inertial sensors, angle sensors, are fast changing how surveyors work.”

Another technology that is now in use is LIDAR which enabled distances to be measured to any surface.

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY COVER STORY

Morocco unveils Tanger Med 2 the largest port in Africa

Morocco has officially opened the Tanger Med 2 port becoming the largest port in Africa and one of the 20 largest ports in the world. The new port is the third phase of development of the Tanger Med port complex, alongside Tanger Med 1 container terminals and the passengers and ro-ro terminal. It corresponds to public investment in infrastructures of €1.3B with more than 4,600m of breakwaters and 2,800m of berthing space. Declared open on Friday, the port will be operated by Maersk’s APM Terminals, which also invested $800m in its construction. he construction of the state-of-the-art APM Terminals MedPort Tangier facility took two years and a total investment of USD 800m. This new transshipment terminal is designed, constructed and operated by APM Terminals, and will join existing hub facilities servicing Maersk and its partners. Built utilizing the latest technology, the terminal is set to be one of the most efficient and safest in the world. Morten Engelstoft, chief executive Officer of APM, commented: “APM Terminals has a long-term relationship with Morocco and we are proud to be operating the second container terminal in the Tanger Med Port

complex. APM Terminals MedPort Tangier is a key junction in our global network allowing us to serve our customers better and further facilitate global trade.” With this new capacity, Morocco is establishing itself as one of the most important transshipment locations in the world. Tanger Med Port is already ranked as the leading African port and is amongst the world’s top 50 container ports due to its prime location along key trade lanes and increasing cargo flows, to and from Africa. The new facility will support Tanger Med Port to increase its annual throughput capacity to nine million TEUs, helping to improve Moroccan connectivity and further support global trade. Morocco has seen GDP growth of 4.1% and has a positive outlook for containerized imports and exports with significant growth expected in the years to come. Approximately 200 cargo vessels pass through the Strait of Gibraltar daily, with major liner services linking Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. With a quay length of 1,200 meters and a draft of 16 to 18 metres, APM Terminals MedPort Tangier is able to facilitate the largest vessels.

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COVER STORY

Veolia Water Tech

With 20 years of experience behind it, Veolia has deployed best-in-breed water technology allowing it to offer customized water and wastewater treatment solutions to municipalities as well as industries.

eolia Water Technologies South Africa continues to play a major role in enhancing access to water and wastewater treatment services in Africa – in a continent that has a huge water shortage gap to bridge. With 20 years of experience behind it, Veolia has deployed best-in-breed water technology allowing it to offer customized water and wastewater treatment solutions to municipalities as well as industries. Originally formed in France in 1953, Veolia in South Africa began in 1999 as Vivendi Water Systems through the acquisition of local water treatment company Chematron with a complement of 80 people. Since then, the company has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the most recognizable water solutions experts in sub-Saharan Africa. “In 2001, we commenced our partnership with two massive municipal water treatment works namely: The Durban Water Recycling and Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant,” explains Chris Braybrooke General Manager for Marketing at Veolia Water Technologies South Africa. In 2005, Veolia merged with Weir Envig, an industrial effluent treatment specialist with operations in Africa, the Middle East and Australia, to become VWS Envig. “Weir Envig had local expertise for large design and build projects. This allowed us to reduce our reliance on our head offices in executing these large-scale projects. The merger also expanded Veolia’s footprint 24

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

to include Botswana, as Weir Envig had a branch there and we did not,” Explains Mr Braybrooke At about the same time, Veolia started meeting the needs of small water treatment applications, beginning the production of packaged plants offerings. These were initially made-to-order products. Today, these solutions are off-the-shelf, standard products, and are branded Water Techno Packages. Also in 2005, Veolia acquired Aqua Services & Engineering in Namibia. Another of the firm’s landmark plants, Sasol Landlord was commissioned in 2005. In 2010, Veolia commissioned the largest water desalination plant in SA: the Veolia designed & built Mossel Bay Desalination Plant. In 2013, the firm also commissioned the ZLD crystallization plant at Ambatovy Mine in Madagascar. Consequently Veolia Water Technologies was recognized as Water Company of the Year in 2016. In 2018, Veolia commissioned its largest water treatment plant to date: the Lower Thukela Water treatment plant. The same year Veolia was awarded its largest O & M contract to date, at Overstrand Municipality. Ambitious plan Two years ago, Veolia hatched a new strategy dubbed Ambitions for Africa meant to further boost water accessibility in Africa. “The ambitious plan aims to revitalize access to

COVER STORY

hnologies

water and wastewater treatment services in Africa by offering innovative water treatment technologies, products and services, “explains Mr Braybrooke. Some of the central pillars underpinning this strategy include: Water Techno Packages: There has been a shift away from supplying water and wastewater treatment through large civils-based plants towards smallerscale, decentralized plants. Veolia is meeting this requirement with our Water Techno Packages. These plug-and-play packaged plants can be rapidly supplied (in as little as 12 weeks), are robust, arrive Factory Acceptance tested and built according to ISO 9001 quality standards. These include potable water, sewage treatment and a 4×4 truck mounted water treatment plant that can service isolated and remote areas. Hydrex™ chemicals: in 1999 we produced +/- 80 tpm of chemicals. Today this figure is 350 tpm. In 2018, Veolia’s new state of the art Hydrex™ chemical manufacturing facility came online. Designed to be the central production facility for the entire continent of Africa (and beyond), this facility has a production capacity of 1 500 tpm. Already, the company is getting orders from as far afield as Morocco and Qatar. This year, Veolia introduced AQUAVISTA™ to the market. This is a software layer that can be installed in new or existing WTPs for greater monitoring, management and optimization.

“Across the course of our history has been our successful ability to define and redefine our technologies and solutions to market in ways that meet the needs of municipal and industrial companies in the most costeffective, reliable and environmentally sustainable way,” adds Braybrooke. Veolia’s 350-propritary water treatment technologies continue to leverage technology to treat even the most polluted of waters to a potable standard. “For fresh water treatment we supply all the technologies from our Water Techno Packages to efficiently, reliably and safely treat borehole, river, dam, lakes, and even seawater to potable standards.” Veolia is also working with companies such as Distell, dairies, etc. to treat and reuse their wastewater for internal use. If the wastewater is high in Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD), then this opens up the possibility to harvest biogas that can provide boiler fuel, etc. Act Now As Mr Braybrooke puts it, such initiatives when used in a massive scale can help tackle water shortage in Africa. “We need to act now to ensure that we are not reacting to a more serious problem in the future. We see the circular economy, where we can continuously reuse our waste resources – whether this is wastewater or recycling of plastics as a major step forward.” “Veolia’s water reuse and water recycling services have been proven across industries and at commercial scale. We need to do more of this. We need to overcome the stigma associated to recycled water.” Water treated by a trickling filter sewage plant, for instance, can be used for irrigation, greening and agriculture. No polluting fresh water sources. Even solid waste such as plastics can be recycled, and that will reduce the amount of land based pollution that enters our oceans. African governments can help boost water recycling and waste treatment by adopting public-private partnerships that will help it further its water resources. An example is the Durban Water Recycling Plant. By recycling 47.5 ML/day of municipal and industrial wastewater, which is supplied as a much cheaper process water for industrial users such as Mondi and Sapref, the City of Durban is able to free up this volume of potable water from its water supply, and so expand the penetration and access of its bulk water infrastructure, delivering water services to more people. Looking forward, Veolia will continue to be guided by its Ambitions for Africa strategy to increase access to water and wastewater services across the continent. “We will continue to grow partnerships. We will continue to innovate and package our technologies according to the exact requirements of our customers,” shares Mr Braybrooke. With a full service offering that includes packaged plants, chemicals, tailored operations and maintenance contracts and the supply of spares and services, the company will continue to focus on efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness of our solutions to ensure we can meet Africa’s requirements for water and wastewater. “Veolia is committed to developing our regional anchorage through the implementation of local win-win partnerships. Veolia is thus developing projects with local partners who bring the invaluable knowledge and expertise that enable the company to adapt its offering and properly respond to the challenges of each country in Africa. Attesting to this strategy, South African EC&I company Ceracure is now a stakeholder in Veolia Water Technologies’ South-African subsidiary.” www.cceonlinenews.com

COVER STORY

Beyond Construction: The Challenges of Deploying Mini-Grids in Kenya

The Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL) Charrettes that are taking place this week seek to address key questions for investors, governments and development partners, who look to accelerate financial flows to countries with the widest energy access gaps. Such engagement is critical if countries across the globe are to achieve universal access to ‘affordable, reliable and modern energy’ by 2030 as aspired to in the seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Various donor agencies and development banks already support energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa. UK Minister for Africa Harriet Baldwin, for example, announced £30 million funding for ‘green’ mini-grids (GMG) and solar technology initiatives in Africa in March 2019. This highlights a general trend towards supporting energy access from renewables around the world but it also demonstrates the potential of mini-grids as an alternative to grid connection in remote rural areas where the challenge of energy access remains greatest. Development partners like DFID and the World Bank have strongly supported privatesector involvement in the energy sector and Kenya is often highlighted as a paragon of this clean energy transformation. Several countries, including Belgium, Spain, France, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, support energy projects in Kenya through grants and loans. In 201516, for example, finance for electricity projects reached approximately $1.9billion – which is up 103 per cent from 2013-14(opens in new 26

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

window). Another example is the World Bank Group’s $150 million funding for an off-grid solar access project that targets 14 sub-national governments across the country. These counties are characterized by highly dispersed populations and profound basic infrastructure deficits that undermine communities’ economic prosperity where national grid extension is not commercially viable. As such, about 120 World Bank Groupfinanced mini-grids will be constructed in Kenya and this will initially go some way to addressing the energy access gap that the country currently faces. But what are some of the challenges faced after mini-grid deployment and how can these challenges be addressed? Discussions with some community members at Talek township in Narok County in February 2019 illustrated some of the challenges that both local and GMG operators face. Talek is a community dependent on electricity from a privatelyoperated mini-grid in Kenya and its solar-diesel mini-grid is a $280,000 pilot project funded by GIZ – the German development agency. The plant was handed over to the Narok county government in 2016 which then contracted PowerGen, a Nairobi-based private company, to run it. The local community acknowledges that, although the project is well-intended, the delivery of the services after the donor handover has been challenging for three key reasons. First, the reliability and quality of the electricity being supplied has been poor which can be attributed to two factors: the focus on connect-

COVER STORY

ing more consumers to the system and the inability of the system to accommodate the new energy demands that economic growth, associated with energy access, has created. Both factors have led to demand outstripping the supply capacity of the mini-grid and thus affected the reliability and quality of electricity supplied. Second, consumers have found it hard to get their complaints resolved. Some of the issues that have emerged range from not having an on-site technician in the event of a connection fault to not having a phone number to call if a problem arises. Furthermore, the system relies on people activating power using tokens purchased from an agent, but although successful examples do exist elsewhere in Kenya, the way this is currently structured in Talek is far from efficient. Third, the price of the electricity generated from the mini-grid is very high when compared to those connected to the central grid. Consumers in Talek have paid $1.04 kilowatt per hour – which is about seven times the price that consumers connected to the central grid pay. Such a price is an economic burden to the consumer as most are from low-income households and is compounded because the unreliable electricity supply has led several businesses to install solar home systems or diesel generators for back up energy generation. However, from the operator’s perspective, it must be acknowledged that it is impossible to sell electricity at a price close to the national grid – which is heavily subsidized. The recent insolvency of Mobisol, although not strictly operating in the GMG space, has illustrated the wafer-thin profit margins generated by many of the energy access start-ups working in East Africa. This has sent shockwaves through much of the energy access community who have looked at private sector solutions as a ‘silver-bullet’ for transforming the energy access needs of rural communities. To address these challenges, several issues must be tackled by donors, local governments and service providers from the outset – before mini-grids are deployed. Firstly, mini-grids should be designed for flexibility during the planning phase to accommodate the growing electricity demands envisioned. This should allow both the original developer or a new developer to expand the system if needed. Moreover, the operation and maintenance service provider should prioritize delivery of quality and reliable power over quantity. Secondly, attention must be paid to the handover phase to ensure that there is adequate capacity and infrastructure at the local government and service provider level to ensure long-term effective and efficient energy service delivery. This requires consideration of the availability of local technicians and customer services infrastructure on the ground. For the regulator, a reporting requirement to keep track of the performance of a utility will ensure that the service providers are held accountable for the service delivered. Thirdly, the electricity tariff should be affordable as off-grid systems often target marginalized communities whose purchase power is low. The fall in the price of renewable energy technologies by almost three-quarters between 2010 and 2017 will

hopefully trickle down to consumers. Beyond the technology, opportunities to lower connection and distribution costs need to be explored. Moreover, a regulatory framework by the local government to help private sector actors provide a more competitive pricing structure and to protect the consumer from extortionate prices should be put in place and enforced. A forthcoming research paper on the local realities in SDG7 implementation in Kenya seeks to provide detailed insights on the challenges and opportunities to be tapped to ensure sustainability of energy access initiatives. In the meantime, to ensure the success of new and existing mini-grids it is critical that donor agencies and their local partners learn from Talek and other mini-grid projects that are currently underway. It is important to pay more attention to the operational challenges that mini-grid users might face after they are commissioned – which need to be addressed from the outset. This is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of energy access initiatives in places where energy needs are greatest. Anne Nyambane, Academy Mo Ibrahim Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Department

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FEATURE

What a failed Johannesburg project tells us about mega cities in Africa

Six years ago a major development was announced in South Africa. Billed as a game changer, it was meant to alter the urban footprint of Johannesburg, Africa’s richest city, forever. The Modderfontein New City project was launched amid much fanfare, expectation and media hype. Zendai, a Chinese developer, bought a 1600-hectare site north-east of Johannesburg for the development, which it quickly dubbed as the “New York of Africa”. Early plans showed it was to include 55,000 housing units, 1,468,000 m2 of office space and all the necessary amenities for urban life in the form of a single large-scale urban district. The cost estimate was set at R84 billion. The developers believed that Modderfontein could function as a global business hub and would become Johannesburg’s main commercial center, replacing Sandton. The project would also change Johannesburg’s international profile by strengthening relations with Asian corporate interests. But, despite the release of futuristic computergenerated images which led to significant publicity for the project, it was never built. Instead, the land was eventually sold off. Another developer has since begun construction on a much more scaled down project, in the form of a gated-community style housing development. Modderfontein has faded away from the public consciousness. The story of why it failed has never been adequately told in the media.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

Our research, which took place over the course of several years, sought to understand the factors which led to the project’s demise. We also wanted to find out how Modderfontein’s failure relates to the broader African urban context. We found that the project was hindered by conflicting visions between the developer and the City of Johannesburg. Moreover, unexpectedly low demand for both housing and office space meant the original plan for the project was incompatible with the city’s real estate market. The project’s trajectory also shows how African “edge-city” developments, which are generally elitedriven and marketed as “eco-friendly” or “smart”, can be influenced by a strong local government with the means and willingness to shape development. Conflicting interests Zendai’s aspirations to produce a high-end, mixedused development did not fit with the City of Johannesburg’s approach. Rather than a luxurious global hub, the city wanted a more inclusive development – one which reflected the principles outlined in its 2014 Spatial Development Framework. At the heart of the framework is the desire to reshape a trend that saw capital leave the old central business district for affluent Sandton at the dawn of democracy in 1994. This was accompanied by an upsurge in securitised suburbs further north towards Pretoria, the country’s capital city. These spatial trends were incompatible with the ideals of South Africa’s new democratic govern-

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ment and its strategy to mitigate the effects of apartheid-era planning. During apartheid, black people were prohibited from living in more affluent areas, which were reserved for the minority white population. Instead, they were forced into sprawling “townships” on the periphery of cities, far from work and economic opportunities. To this end, the city demanded that Zendai include at least 5 000 affordable homes in its plans. It also wanted to ensure that the development was compatible with, and complemented, Johanneburg’s public transport system. The city was willing to contribute funding for the necessary infrastructure and inclusive housing. Yet Zendai remained steadfast in its commitment to its vision, eventually deciding against fully integrating the city’s wishes into its planning application. This saw the city drawout the planning process. Meanwhile, problems were mounting for Zendai. The owner, Dai Zhikang, was eventually forced to sell his stake in the project to the China Orient Asset Management Company. Rather than continuing with the project, the asset managers sold the land to the company behind the new housing development on the site. Smart cities in Africa Over the last decade, a variety of develop-

ments like Modderfontein, including EkoAtlantic in Nigeria, New Cairo in Egypt, and Konza Technology City in Kenya, have been touted by both public and private sectors as panaceas for Africa’s urban problems. The thinking is that as the developments are disconnected from the existing urban landscape, they won’t be burdened by crime or informality. However, these projects can take badly needed resources away from the marginalised areas of the city. To make them more palatable to domestic and international audiences, the developments are usually marketed as “smart” or “eco-friendly”. But these developments can fail at the point of implementation. This is because, as speculative projects, they generally don’t recognise the need to fit in with the wishes of the local authorities or adapt to the existing city. In the case of Modderfontein, the city government had the capability to push back against the developers and, in the end tried to shape the project to better fit Johannesburg’s urban realities.The Conversation Ricardo Reboredo, PhD Candidate in Geography, Trinity College Dublin and Frances Brill, Research fellow, UCL This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. www.cceonlinenews.com

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How Kenya can profit from renewable energy

On February 13 Rebecca Miano, the CEO of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), said the company intended to issue a new bond in the fourth quarter of this year to fund new developments. Speaking to Reuters, Miano said that on top of looking at potentially issuing asset-backed securities, the offering could also represent the country’s first green bond – financial products intended to fund environmentally sustainable projects such as renewable energy developments. To this end, on February 20 the Capital Markets Authority announced the launch of the country’s green bond market, unveiling a series of regulations concerning such issuances, opening the door for initial offerings on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Renewables key to national power expansion plans Given that KenGen, which is 70% state owned, supplies around 70% of the country’s electricity, the capital the company is looking to raise will be used to support the government’s plans to achieve universal connection to power by 2022, either through on- or off-grid access, up from the present level of 75% connectivity. To achieve this, Kenya will expand its energy sourcing options, as outlined in a new strategy paper issued in December. Developed in partnership with the World Bank, the Kenya National Electrification Strategy (KNES) aims to expand installed generation capacity by 3000 MW over the next five years, around double the current amount. While this is to be achieved by utilising a mix of sources, the plan places a heavy focus on renewable power. According to financial estimates accompanying the KNES policy paper, there will be KSh1.5trn ($15bn) worth of investment opportunities in the energy sector over the period. In a sign that renewable projects are set to feature in these plans, in early January French solar energy firm Alten Africa announced its contractor Voltalia had broken ground on a 40-MW photovoltaic plant in Uasin Gishu County, with the project set to supply the national grid by March next year. KenGen is also ramping up its geothermal output, utilising underground steam sources in the Rift Valley. In her February interview with Reuters, Miano said 30

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the company was looking to add 720 MW in generation capacity by 2022. While 80 MW of this new capacity will be wind driven, the majority will come from geothermal sources, she said, which already account for around one-third of KenGen’s generational output. In addition, hydroelectric capacity is set to increase through the construction of two dams on the Arror and Kimwarer Rivers in the Rift Valley. On-the-ground planning and land acquisition is currently being conducted for the twin developments, which have a combined budget of $630m. The project, being developed as a partnership between the Kerio Valley Development Authority and Italian firms CMC di Ravenna and Itinera, will add 60 MW to the national grid once completed. Green energy activity comes amid phasing out of hydrocarbons Kenya’s increased investment in renewable energy is part of a broader strategy to phase out its reliance on thermal power plants, which mainly consist of dieselfired stations operated by independent power producers (IPPs). In April last year Charles Keter, the cabinet secretary for energy, said the government was not planning to renew the licences of IPPs operating the 27 thermal power stations currently supplying the grid. Currently, thermal plants account for 700 MW of Kenya’s installed capacity of 2800 MW, a quarter of the total. While the government is looking to remove hydrocarbons from the country’s energy mix, the last of the diesel-fired plants may not be shut down until 2032, as some IPPs hold long-term contracts. Adverse weather patterns could also play a part in keeping Kenya’s thermal power plants on-line, at least until more renewable energy capacity is deployed. Low rainfall in 2017 and 2018 reduced output from the hydroelectric component of the power sector, which, along with higher fuel prices, was one of the main factors behind distributor Kenya Power’s increased expenditure on diesel fuel. In the 12 months to the end of June 2018, the company paid KSh14.8bn ($147.8m) to IPPs with dieselfired plants, up 8% on the KSh13.7bn ($136.8m) spent in the previous 12-month period. Delays could slow energy transition Another potential obstacle to any accelerated phasing out of thermal power capacity is the difficulty Kenya has experienced in the timely rollout of dam construction projects. Prolonged disputes over compensation and the resettlement of landowners, combined with contractual disagreements with participating companies, have delayed a number of dam developments, affecting the development of new generation capacity. However, the increased focus on other renewable resources will mitigate some of these delays, as well as providing an alternative to hydroelectricity that is not susceptible to drought and the long-term impact of climate change. This push towards a broader base for Kenya’s renewable energy industry should also open investment opportunities for material and service suppliers along the project chain, and downstream operators.

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With almost four years completed since the United Nations adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we face a narrowing window of opportunity to mobilize the disruptive solutions and ambitious partnerships needed to bend the curve and improve the lives of billions within that timeframe, or indeed sooner. Nowhere is a sense of urgency greater than with SDG 7(“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy access for all”) – which addresses an area that is both lagging, and simultaneously, viewed as one of the most solvable. The Rockefeller Foundation is working to apply the lessons from our decentralized rural electrification initiative, Smart Power India, to markets across sub-Saharan Africa. The renewable energy mini-grids supported by the Smart Power initiative in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are now powering micro-enterprises and homes in more than 200 villages. Improved energy access has transformed the lives of over 160,000 people, including thousands of small businesses. A joint report, Rural Electrification in India, Customer Behaviour and Demand, launched in February 2019 in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, contributes to a growing body of data that shows low-income, rural consumers are ready and willing to pay for reliable electricity access. Smart Power India mini-grid partners average 97–100% on-time revenue collection, and 80% of household users and 90% of enterprise users report themselves “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their mini-grid connections. The mini-grid sector has also proven that reliability is key to unlocking latent demand and achieving the full economic potential of energy access in underserved regions. Only with access to reliable power are enterprises likely to employ relatively expensive appliances for productive purposes. When this happens, we observe a triple-win of improved household incomes, increased enterprise productivity and stronger revenue for mini-grid operators. This was captured in a third-party impact report on the Smart Power India effort, which revealed that, from September 2016 to January 2019, connected businesses experienced an average 49% increase in monthly revenues, with 43% of enterprises purchasing new appliances and equipment to grow their businesses. While significant reliability and affordability challenges remain, India is on the cusp of achieving universal grid access at the household level. For sub-Saharan Africa, however,

with approximately 600 million people still not connected to the grid, we have a unique opportunity to combine the strengths of grid and off-grid distribution solutions via integrated electrification strategies to recognize and serve a huge unaddressed market. This will require a dramatically enhanced commitment to collaboration, backed by new tools, incentives and capabilities to roll out electrification more quickly and more cost-effectively. Easing the gridlock Combining grid and off-grid solutions requires utilities to work with offgrid providers to incorporate business models better tailored to the needs and wallets of a poorer rural customer base. For their part, off-grid companies must see themselves as partners of, rather than alternatives to, grid electrification. Only with a paradigm shift, where utilities and off-grid companies work collaboratively to address the challenges of last-mile electrification, will we see real progress towards ending energy

poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. And this is where African governments can play a catalytic role by embracing the potential of the off-grid sector, supporting electrification strategies that integrate the best mix of solutions, and aligning investment and other policies to unleash a new wave of last-mile electrification. To advance this effort, the Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with Power for All on its Utilities 2.0 report. Bringing together Uganda’s largest utility, Umeme, and private sector, off-grid companies for the campaign’s first project in Africa, Utilities 2.0: Integrated Energy for Optimal Impact, was launched by Power for All at African Utility Week in Cape Town, South Africa. This project will provide a concrete example of the kinds of public-private partnerships needed to fundamentally transform the trajectory of energy access in Africa and worldwide. www.cceonlinenews.com

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Laminate Flooring: Why they are becoming trendy

Laminate flooring technology allows for high quality, very durable flooring materials but at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. This is because in a majority of the cases the main components in laminates are sourced from renewable/green plantations or from recycled materials. This is a trend which not only allows for cost effective materials but also remains an eco-friendly solution. Of course other aspects what impact the actual ecological & health implications are VOC’s (Volatile organic components), these encompass the bonding agents used to create the materials as well as any chemicals that are used in any process of the making or fixing of the planks. When shopping for flooring we urge people to be on the lookout for these VOC’s and not use any materials that ranks above an A+. Now laminates have evolved tremendously since their discovery about half a century ago and are now, in some cases, more durable than the real hardwood counterparts. This is in part due to the surface coating technologies used (ScratchGuard in

the case of Quick-Step) that make it almost impossible to scratch the floors (even with a knife or scissors) in fact we often give our clients a sharp object to try and scratch the boards, when they visit our offices. The surface coating also means that laminate floors are completely sealed off on top. No water or oils can penetrate through the top layer. Generally this is a very good thing, your floors are much more resistant to water that good old hardwood, on the other hand when purchasing a laminate floor you have to be conscious that you cannot varnish, stain or polish your floors. The oils will simply coat the surface but never make it in. This also means that maintenance is a breeze! Laminate floors are mopped, in a similar fashion to tiles, once or

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

twice a day with no issue. Some laminate floors like the Quick-Step Impressive, Classic and Eligna ranges are designed to be waterproof and can be installed in bathrooms, however, the installation is key in such applications are care has to be taken to seal any gaps and edges with a waterproofing compound. Failure to do this will allow water to seep around the outer edges (where you have the skirting) and overtime damage the floor. When purchasing your laminate floors, you have to be aware of: The country of origin (Belgium, Germany, USA, Turkey, China, India, etc…) generally speaking EU standards for these materials are higher than counterparts. The AC rating (Abrasion criteria) refers to the wear-layer on the surface of the material & subsequently how much resistance the floor has to foottraffic. Don’t go any lower than AC4! The Composition of the core material. High end laminate floors will have a very dense HDF core. Never, ever

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buy MDF laminates as it is not likely to last a long time. The warranties of the laminate. In the case of Quick-Step we start as from 20 year up to a lifetime warranty that covers scratches, fading, warping, chipping, locking-mechanism, UV, fire, etc… ANY GOOD LAMINATE MUST HAVE A WARRANTY OVER 10 YEARS! Laminates are favoured in colder areas due to the warmth that these floors hold. Unlike tiles that easily get cold and uncomfortable in colder regions laminates will always retain a neutral, not too warm, not too cold touch. Another great advantage to this installation is that it can be done very fast without having to wait for drying or curing. Unlike tiles or even hardwood, where the client is expected to clear the installation area for a good few days, laminates can be installed with minimal disturbance to the client’s routine. Unlike tiles, laminates are also easier and cheaper to install as there is no need for glue, cement of grout. This means no mess either during installation. Now, there has been a long debate regarding the thickness of laminates & benefits over price. In our experience there is almost no difference when looking at thickness alone and more attention should be give to the points above. When looking at type of HDF, or MDF, generally the higher the quality the more compressed the material will be. This means that a high density HDF of 7mm will be far superior to a low density HDF that is 12mm. One should be very keen on this in order to avoid being duped by sellers. In order to reduce noise when walking on the floors a election of underlays are available depending on your requirements. Want a “studio grade” floor? Go for the silent walk underlay… building an apartment? Go for the unisound.. etc… Now unlike hardwood floors which are usually a lot more expensive, you al-

ways know, for sure, what you’re going to get when purchasing Laminates. As they are machined products, the design, shade, length and thickness will always be standard as per your choice. This means that there is no room for unexpected outcomes. For example when purchasing a timber floor there is always the risk of warping, high water content in the wood etc… hence a lot more unpredictable. Why laminate flooring is becoming trendy Over the years laminates have come to prove their durability & reliability. Homeowners can now have access to the latest trends in flooring designs, shades, finishes etc at a very affordable price. As the larger flooring manufacturers have always involved themselves in interior trends, the products they manufacture closely follow worldwide taste patterns. This means that anyone can get their hands on that brand new look they saw in a magazine with very little effort. Something that was almost impossible when dealing with hardwood. Another plus is the knowledge that the products were manufactured by a reputable company that guarantees the materials. By bypassing the insecurities about the lifespan of an experimental product homeowners can rest assured that their floors will last. Unlike LVT vinyl floors, good quality laminates can nowadays not be distinguished from hardwood. ” _____________________ ___________________ Quick-Step is a major brand by Mohawk, the largest flooring & wood panel company in the world. As such Quick-Step has always been updated & improved upon since it’s introduction on the market. These changes, in terms of technologies, colors & trends have made QuickStep the go-to flooring company in a majority of countries across the globe.

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Exploring Palm Exotijca

Plans have been announced for the construction of the Palm Exotijca, soon to be the tallest skyscraper in Kenya, and in Africa too. The building will be constructed at Watamu beach in Malindi in Kilifi County. It will be 61-storeys and be used for multiple purposes, from business to leisure. Design and Construction The Palm Exotijca has been designed by Rome-based architect Lorenzo Pagnini, who used traditional art as his inspiration. The tower is designed to be ecofriendly, to have organic cultural motifs, and to offer a holistic experience to the traveller who is “looking for the finer things in life.” It will offer views across the stunning Malindi Marine National Park, and is expected to boost luxury tourism in the region. The construction of the tower has been financed by Italian billionaire Franco Rosso, along with investors from the USA and South Africa. It will cost multiple billion shillings to build. No start date has yet been given for the tower’s construction.

Multi-Purpose Project The Palm Exotijca will offer multiple facilities within its walls, from luxury accommodation to business spaces and extensive leisure complexes. Inside the Palm Exotijca there will be: A luxury hotel with 270 rooms. The hotel will be operated by a well-established 5* international chain. 180 luxury serviced residencies, inluding studios, presidential suites, penthouse and sky apartments. Residencies include floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive balconies to offer views over the Indian Ocean and tropical forests. Each apartment comes with modern appliances and exquisite furniture. The tower has ample office spaces and a convention centre, and covers meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE). It also has a VIP lounge, cyber centre, observatory and exhibition space. Palm Exotijca will have its own casino, which will be open 24 hours a day. This is a common trend for most prolific skyscrapers. Take the Grand Lisboa, which was the first in Macau to hold Texas Hold

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‘em tournaments, and hosts the APPT, a series of events which has been full of unforgettable moments since its start in 2007. Palm Exotijca joins the list of towers offering casino gaming. Aside from casinos, Palm Exotijca will have a number of impressive leisure facilities, including nightclubs, a retail mall, restaurants, theatre and cinema, gym and fitness centre, wellness and spa, and a play area. Will Palm Exotijca Be the Tallest In Africa? Palm Exotijca, once built, will be 61-storeys and around 370m in height. How does this stack up against Kenya and Africa’s tallest buildings? Kenya’s tallest building is currently the Britam Towers in Nairobi, which stand at 195 metres. This is a commercial building with 32 usable floors, and is the headquarters for the company of the same name, Britam. Palm Exotijca will dwarf this construction by another 175 metres. The tallest building in the whole of Africa is currently the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is home to offices and shops, and stands at 223 metres in height. Once the Palm Exotijca is built, it will be much taller than the Carlton. In terms of height, Palm Exotijca faces its toughest competition from rival buildings that have yet to be constructed. The largest of The Pinnacle twin glass towers will stand at 300 metres upon completion, which is still 70 metres short of the Palm Exotijca’s planned height. The Nile Tower is also expected to be built soon following extensive delays, and will be 70-storeys high upon completion, potentially taking Palm Exotijca’s place as the tallest building in Africa. It is set to become the tallest building in Africa by far, though future developments may bring even taller buildings to the continent. Construction dates are yet to be released, so interested readers should keep an eye out for developments.

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Record growth in Global renewable hydro More than 21.8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable hydroelectric capacity was put into operation last year, according to the 2019 Hydropower Status Report which is published today on the eve of the World Hydropower Congress. Government ministers from Canada, Indonesia, Nepal, Uganda and Uruguay contributed policy interventions to the sixth edition of the Hydropower Status Report, each emphasizing the need for investment in renewable energy, and especially hydropower, to help countries achieve sustainable development. Electricity generation from hydropower projects achieved a record 4,200 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2018, the highest ever contribution from a renewable energy source, as worldwide installed hydropower capacity climbed to 1,292 GW. China added the most capacity with the installation of 8,540 megawatts, followed by Brazil (3,866 MW), Pakistan (2,487 MW), Turkey (1,085 MW), Angola (668 MW), Tajikistan (605 MW), Ecuador (556 MW), India (535 MW), Norway (419 MW) and Canada (401 MW). Brazil has now become the second largest producer of hydroelectricity by installed capacity, reaching 104.1 GW in 2018, surpassing the United States at 102.7 GW. The world largest hydropower producer is China with 352.3 GW of installed capacity. The Hydropower Status Report, published by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), is an authoritative guide to key trends in hydropower development. Compiled by IHA’s team of analysts, the report presents latest capacity and generation data from more than 200 countries and territories. The 2019 edition of the Hydropower Status Report presents research into the multiple services provided by hydropower, the importance of building resilience to climate change, and the role of digitalization and regional interconnections in bringing efficiencies to clean energy generation. With pumped hydropower storage capacity reaching 160.3 GW in 2018 (up 1.9 GW on 2017), the report also calls for the market framework and regulatory treatment of this clean ‘water battery’ technology to be reformed, especially in liberalized markets. In total, 48 countries worldwide added hydropower capacity in 2018. The report shows that East Asia and the Pacific once again added the

most capacity, with 9.2 GW installed last year. This was followed by South America (4.9 GW), South and Central Asia (4.0 GW), Europe (2.2 GW), Africa (1.0 GW) and North and Central America (0.6 GW). “Four years on since the Sustainable Development Goals were agreed at the United Nations in 2015, governments increasingly recognize hydropower as playing a vital role in national strategies for delivering affordable and clean electricity, managing freshwater, combatting climate change and improving livelihoods,” write IHA Chief Executive Richard Taylor and IHA President Ken Adams in the foreword to the report. The Hydropower Status Report is released ahead of the World Hydropower Congress in Paris, 14-16 May 2019, which draws more than 700 delegates from over 70 countries to the French capital. The high-level event is organized by IHA in collaboration with more than 40 partner organizations. The event will bring together a broad spectrum of delegates interested in hydropower development, including leaders from business, government, civil society, social and environmental NGOs, local communities, the United Nations, financial institutions and academia.

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SA lacks high-speed transport, Monorails could put us on track for the future

SA’s lack of high-speed transportation for people and products negatively affects the environment and our roads. It’s time for change, writes Aubrey Lekwane. Most of us love cities. As the hubs of commerce and culture, cities naturally attract people. Today, more than 50% of the world’s population lives in or around a city. By 2050, this number is expected to reach 70%. The implications are profound. Cities already generate 70% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Imagine their impact on climate change by 2050. Tomorrow’s smart cities will redefine sustainability and liveability. Transportation systems that are efficient, environmentally friendly and move hundreds to thousands of people quickly, comfortably and affordably to their destinations will be a 36

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defining feature of many new “ecocities”. Today, the food that ends up on our plates, the fuel that powers our cars, the smartphones we use to make calls or access the internet, the clothes we wear and the glasses we use to drink beverages were produced in factories or refineries, kept in storage facilities and moved from one place to other through various modes of transport to eventually arrive in our hands for consumption. Without decent transport and rail infrastructure in South Africa, this coordinated movement of goods and products along the value chain would not be possible. Therefore, it is widely accepted that an advanced and integrated transport network is the backbone of a modern industrial

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economy – one that enables a country to attract inward investment and to be globally competitive in international trade. Unlike many countries, South Africa is heavily dependent on land surface transportation to move goods and people because it does not have inland waterways. Due to chronic underinvestment in railway infrastructure in our country dating back to the mid-1980s, the bulk of freight today is moved by road – roughly 88.8% of South African freight is moved by road and only 11.2% by rail. It is for this reason that rail freight infrastructure requires a massive upgrade if it is to attract freight clients. South Africa has ambitious plans to invest in rail transport to move freight and people by trains instead of trucks, cars, buses and minibus taxis, which dominate passenger transportation today. The country has about 150 000 minibus taxis, which carry about 15 million passengers daily to and from work, and to far-flung areas around the country. In the past, trains provided inner-city and intercity transportation to many ordinary South Africans. If there is one thing we learnt from the introduction of the Gautrain, the high-speed passenger train service connecting OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria, just before the soccer World Cup in 2010, it is that South Africans are hungry for safe, reliable and efficient trains. Gautrain has been well received by the public, as well as local and international visitors. A closer look at the land surface transportation figures outlined above indicates that South Africa’s roads face never-ending repair work because the trucks that move our goods are exceptionally heavy. Increasing congestion and increasing fuel prices are adding to an already dire situation, so there is an urgent need to reinvest in railway infrastructure (new trains to the replace old fleet, hi-tech signalling systems and rail line maintenance) to ease road congestion – a move that could also boost railway-related manufacturing and turn our country into a global rail manufacturing hub. As an executive working for Bombardier Transportation, we welcome the South African government’s plan to spend R288 billion on upgrading the transport network over the next three years. These investments in freight and passenger railway infrastructure would present South Africa with a unique opportunity to catch up with advanced countries from a technology and skills perspective, which is needed to operate and maintain the new infrastructure, and possibly leapfrog into producing modern trains for Africa and the rest of the world. We are a vehicle-producing nation and there is no reason we can’t replicate this capability to produce trains designed to operate in our specific environment. While government is moving ahead with plans to modernise passenger railway transportation, I believe that millions of our people could benefit if innovative products such as a monorail system were added to our country’s transportation mix to act as feeder lines into the main line or Gautrain system, ensuring lastmile connectivity for the citizens of South Africa. Monorails could be deployed in densely populated areas like townships, helping thousands of people to connect with important economic hubs and to reduce congestion on our roads. In a densely populated city region like Gauteng, monorails could easily move people in and out of townships – where approximately 80% of the province’s 14.7 million people live – and link them to nodes

of economic opportunities where offices, factories, mines, stadiums, airports and shopping malls are situated. Monorails are safe and reliable, and are a perfect answer to climate change and global warming because they emit low levels of carbon and require less space. Beyond their safety and reliability, these trains are aesthetically beautiful to look at because their tracks are suspended above road traffic. Even though monorails were introduced in the 1960s, a curious onlooker would be forgiven for thinking that they were looking at a futuristic train snaking around skyscrapers and moving above traffic in a manner that captures the imagination. If monorails were to be introduced in Johannesburg, they would immediately transform the city’s skyline and catapult its status as it became a city that was truly modern. The added bonus would be rising property prices along its routes. Right now, monorails are used in South Africa on a limited basis for the pleasure of tourists in places like Sun City and Nasrec. This service could be extended to an ordinary South African city dweller. In recent years, monorails, people movers and light rail vehicles such as trams have been mooted for Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, but these projects never took off. It’s time to bring these projects back on to our transportation agenda. Governments in the region also want to create a high-speed network and we feel that, in the next couple of years, there will be more projects and tenders for high-speed rail infrastructure due to the fact that Africa is a vast continent and requires connectivity that is safer and faster, and supports massive economic growth. Lekwane is the managing director of Bombardier SA

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ELEMATIC

Non-load bearing Acotec partition wall panel

Acotec is the first quick-to-install non-load bearing precast partition wall panel that can be used around the world in residential buildings, on public premises – such as hospitals, schools, and service flats – in warehouses and as security fences and noise barriers. Acotec panels are made from Leca or concrete, ensuring great resistance against moisture and temperature differences while also dampening sounds from elsewhere in the building. “Acotec panels can be used in practically any application. Thanks to the innovative manufacturing method, the length and thickness of the wall can be adjusted to the application and the construction requirements. For example, the thicker the wall is, the better its fire resistance properties. Increase in the thickness can result in up to 120 minutes of fire resistance,” says Jani Eilola, Product Director at Elematic. A thicker wall also helps dampen sounds from other rooms and apartments. “The less noise you can hear from other apartments, the more comfortable living is. Acotec panels are the perfect solution for this,” Eilola continues. “Because they are made from stone, they won’t rot, become moldy or deteriorate in other manners like wood and gypsum boards do. Thus, Acotec panels can be used even in wet rooms. For the same reason it is not susceptible to attacks by vermin and withstands the turns of the seasons,” Eilola explains. Thanks to its standardized shape and light structure, two workers can install a simple wall in up to 90 m2/d, average being 50 m2/d. Even in comparison to block partitions, Acotec installation is up to three times faster. “Acotec is a very cost-effective solution. It is always 60 cm wide, and as high as required for each individual application. Installation is easy: A panel is simply lifted into an upright position, and cemented 38

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together to the floor and the ceiling. The ceiling joints are sealed with urethane,” Eilola explains. The panels are bound together with high quality Tilefix joint glue. The next work stages are also swiftly completed as the panel surface is smooth. There is thus no need for any thick plastering, a thin putty will be quite enough. Elematic production line for manufacturing of light, non-load bearing, room-high precast partition wall panels –Acotec panels – is quick and simple to install, run and maintain and requires only very limited land area. The production line comes in three choices – SEMI, PRO and EDGE – which differ by the degree of automation and capacity. Elematic’s production lines for Acotec panels cover the entire production process from concrete batching all the way to storage yard management and beyond. The SEMI line, with a production capacity of 80 m2 per hour, is the simplest of three and is an excellent choice for anyone starting up in the business. It features automation only for the key processes. The PRO line offers a higher capacity of 100 m2 per hour with automated functions for all main processes: sawing, trimming, stacking, restacking, cleaning & oiling, plate handling and pallet circulation. The fully-automatic Acotec EDGE offers a toprate capacity of 120 m2 per hour and needs only two operators to run. All lines have a short installation and start up time, and they can also be installed in existing production facilities. Low energy consumption of the line keeps the production costs on a low level, and the raw material can be recycled to minimize waste creation.

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Affordable housing requires a new shape for the mortgage industry

There are two essential parts to achieving affordable housing: building decent, low-cost homes, and developing a housing finance market that enables low-income earners to buy those homes. For, without finance, almost no home price is low enough to be affordable on an average salary. For this reason, the mortgage market has been growing. Housing loans have risen more than tenfold since 2006, from 1,278 loans valued at Sh19m 12 years ago to 24,458 loans valued at Sh203.3bn by 2015, according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). But the market still remains tiny when compared with other nations. In Tanzania and Uganda, the mortgage loan value is under 2.5 per cent GDP while in Kenya stands at 3.15 per cent of GDP by 2015. In South Africa, it contributed some 32 per cent of GDP. Yet in countries where mortgages drive a large flow of home buying, home owners prime the pumps of the economy with additional spending power in an inflow that makes for faster economic growth. However, our own mortgage market is held back by multiple constraints, including bureaucracy. Normally, the purchase of a property takes around three months to complete. For instance, mortgage finance in Kenya typically takes six months to arrange, mired in nine separate, manual, administrative processes. These span land rent and rates clearance certificates, transfer filing and consent, the search, the valuation and its endorsement, and the stamp duty and lodging of documents. This process, which the government is now working to simplify, adds cumbersome work, as well as risk, thus increasing the cost of mortgages. Most primary mortgage lenders in the region thus set higher mortgage rates and focus on high net

worth individuals and high earners who can afford higher rates. They also run shorter repayment periods, ranging from as low as three years to an average of eight years. But repaying at such high rates, so rapidly, puts borrowers under considerable pressure and leads to defaults, which today stand at some 12 per cent of Kenyan mortgages. It is additionally a model that offers very few opportunities for low and middle-income Kenyans to own homes. We, thus, need a radical overhaul of mortgage financing if we are to achieve widespread home ownership, which is where mortgage refinancing comes in. Providing a source of secure, long-term funding for mortgages has a direct impact on the affordability of home loans for home buyers and is a vital pillar to achieving a developed mortgage system. Such funding was critical, for instance, in Malaysia and Singapore, where about 80 per cent of houses are now mortgage-owned. For this reason, the Kenyan National Treasury is contributing to the Affordable Housing Pillar of the BIG 4 Agenda by supporting the creation of a lending facility (the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company) to provide longer-term funds for banks and SACCOs for residential mortgages in Kenya.

The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) will provide secure funding to mortgage lenders so that they can offer more mortgages at lower prices. With such long-term funding, primary mortgage lenders will also be able to lengthen repayment periods to 15 to 25 years, and offer a fixed interest rate, making mortgages both safe and affordable for low income earners. The new financing will mainly be available for lower cost housing, valued at less than Sh4m in Nairobi metropolitan area (Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado) and Sh3m elsewhere. Likewise, to qualify for the housing loan, Kenyans must be earning less than Sh150,000 a month. Refinancing the financial institutions will also enable them to expand their lending scope to finance developers as well. A strategy that can also be borrowed by other East African countries in meeting there affordable housing agendas. The Government Affordable Housing project seeks to develop 500,000 houses in five years, which presents the largest real estate opportunity for a long time. But with the country having only managed to produce about 50,000 units over the last two to three years, achieving the targeted 100,000 houses a year will require considerable investment in construction. The financing structures necessary to achieve this will be outlined in forums at the April 10th -11th East African Property Investment Summit, which aims to support the Government Affordable Housing Project. But as government and industry leaders convene to discuss the delivery of the targeted affordable housing, mortgage refinancing will be taking center stage as a crucial enabler. By Johnstone Oltetia, Interim CEO Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC)

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FEATURE

How cities are tackling the global affordable housing crisis

The unprecedented rate of urbanization across the world has led to increased demand for good, affordable housing. A recent survey revealed that of 200 cities polled around the globe, 90% were considered unaffordable when applying the widely-used standard of average house prices being more than three-times median income. Affordability is not just about the ability to buy or rent a home, but also about being able to afford to live in it. This definition of affordability goes beyond meeting expenses related to operations and maintenance, taking into consideration transport, infrastructure and services. If a home is economical enough to buy and maintain but located too far from work or school, it cannot be said to be affordable. The factors contributing to a lack of affordability vary from city-to-city, but broadly include housing costs rising faster than incomes, the supply of houses not keeping up with demand, scarcity of land, and demographic changes such as population growth, ageing and shifts in household composition. To understand the challenge more holistically, the World Economic Forum on 6 June launched a new report, Making Affordable Housing a Reality for Cities. It provides a comprehensive overview of affordable housing challenges across the housing value chain. The report identifies factors that affect housing affordability beyond the direct costs of purchase and maintenance – including location, housing type, access to 40

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

social infrastructure, the legal and regulatory environment and the state of financial markets. The report recommends a systematic approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis, while highlighting how a range of cities are finding solutions. Here are ten ways that cities around the world are addressing the housing challenge: 1. Land Acquisition: Tradeable Land Quotas – Chengdu and Chongqing In China, local governments have limited authority to expropriate rural land for new housing. Chongqing and Chengdu are experimenting with “tradable land quotas”, through which developers are permitted to construct new housing on the periphery of a city in return for opening up additional land for cultivation beyond city boundaries. 2. Land Use: Communities Plus Program – Sydney, New South Wales The state government of New South Wales, Australia, is partnering with the private sector and non-governmental and community housing groups to develop or renovate 23,000 social housing units in neighborhoods that need renewal, along with 500 affordable- and 40,000 private dwellings. Proceeds are re-invested in social housing, community facilities and public space. Housing assistance is linked to participation in education, training or local employment. 3. Repurposing Vacant Property: Motel Conversion Ordinance – Los Angeles Los Angeles recently passed a law allowing motels to be converted into “permanent supportive housing”

FEATURE

for the homeless, regardless of current zoning requirements. This is typically quicker and cheaper than new construction, as it involves only adding small kitchens to the motel rooms. 4. Financing: Urban Wealth Fund – Hamburg and Copenhagen Hamburg and Copenhagen have improved housing supply by pooling publicly owned assets into an “Urban Wealth Fund” that partners with the private sector to deliver projects. Sharing risks and benefits aligns the interests of these stakeholders and can streamline infrastructure development, planning and land-use regulations. 5. Construction Productivity: Mayor’s Construction Academy – London Shortages in construction skills can drive up labour costs and, in turn, housing construction costs. London has established the Mayor’s Construction Academy to accredit training providers, strengthen coordination between training providers and construction employers, and provide funding to upgrade training equipment and premises – making the city’s skills training more useful to the construction industry, and more attractive for young people. 6. Design: Green Roof Initiative – Denver Denver’s “Green Roof initiative” requires buildings taller than 25,000 square feet to have green roofs or solar panels – including affordable housing projects. While upfront costs will increase, lower-income communities should benefit in the long term from lower levels of air- and water pollution, as well as cheaper energy bills. 7.Construction Material: Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum – India After a decade of research, the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras has proposed a building system using Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) panels – low-cost, prefabricated panels made using gypsum waste from fertilizer plants – using minimal concrete and steel, and no bricks. The Indian government has approved standards for structures of up to 10 storeys high. Thermal resistance reduces the need for air conditioning. GFRG has been dubbed a green material by the United Nations Framework on Climate Change. 8. Eligibility: Criteria for Social Housing – Dupnitsa, Bulgaria Dupnitsa, Bulgaria, constructed 150 social housing units with eligibility restricted to those who own no property and earn an income under a specified limit. Applicants were ranked based on their employment status, education level, age and number of children. 9. Tenure Systems: Multiple tenures for housing – Bristol, UK Bristol, UK, is constructing 161 homes on a former

primary school site with six different types of tenure. A housing association, community investment company and private investor have worked together to create this model, in which some houses will be sold at market price and others made available through tenures, including shared-ownership and rent-to-buy. The scheme is aimed vital workers who are being priced out of the city. 10. Home ownership: Melbourne Apartment Project – Melbourne, Australia The Melbourne Apartment Project - The Barnett Model Development in North Melbourne is a privatelyfunded development supported by the University of Melbourne, Melbourne City Mission, Resilient Melbourne and the City of Melbourne. As part of the scheme, six of 34 apartments are being sold at market rate to subsidize the sale of the other 28 to social housing tenants through a “deferred second mortgage” model that reduces the necessary deposit and repayments. A similar project in Toronto, “Options for Homes”, has delivered over 6,000 affordable homes in 20 years. Addressing the housing affordability challenge requires systematic changes. City governments must streamline their regulatory landscapes and enable transparent land acquisition, emphasize property rights over title, develop a rental regulatory framework to protect tenants as well as landlords, encourage mixed-income and mixed-use housing developments, enable more innovative financing models in developing new homes or upgrading existing homes and encourage skill-building in the construction industry. The private sector must embrace innovative mechanisms to finance development and help establish the creditworthiness of those looking to improve their housing situation. Employers need to work with communities to provide affordable housing for employees, or help with housing costs through loans, subsidies or mortgage deals. Private developers need to invest in sustainable design concepts to create energy-efficient housing, and improve productivity by mainstreaming 3D Printing, prefabricating components, and using alternative materials and advanced automated equipment. The non-profit sector also has a key role to play in working with housing providers to implement alternative tenure models, while supporting advocacy efforts, formulating policy and providing technical support, information and know-how to developers and homeowners.

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FEATURE

How a more integrated approach could help to end energy poverty ances and equipment to grow their businesses.

Only with a paradigm shift, where utilities and off-grid companies work collaboratively to address the challenges of last-mile electrification, will we see real progress towards ending energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. With almost four years completed since the United Nations adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we face a narrowing window of opportunity to mobilize the disruptive solutions and ambitious partnerships needed to bend the curve and improve the lives of billions within that timeframe, or indeed sooner. Nowhere is a sense of urgency greater than with SDG 7(“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy access for all”) – which addresses an area that is both lagging, and simultaneously, viewed as one of the most solvable. The Rockefeller Foundation is working to apply the lessons from our decentralized rural electrification initiative, Smart Power India, to markets across sub-Saharan Africa. The renewable energy mini-grids supported by the Smart Power initiative in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are now powering micro-enterprises and homes in more than 200 villages. Improved energy access has transformed the lives of over 160,000 people, including thousands of small businesses. A joint report, Rural Electrification in India, Customer Behaviour and Demand, launched in February 2019 in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, contributes to a growing body of data that shows low-income, rural consumers are ready and willing to pay for reliable electricity access. Smart Power India mini-grid partners average 97– 100% on-time revenue collection, and 80% of household users and 90% of enterprise users report themselves “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their mini-grid connections. The mini-grid sector has also proven that reliability is key to unlocking latent demand and achieving the full economic potential of energy access in underserved regions. Only with access to reliable power are enterprises likely to employ relatively expensive appliances for productive purposes. When this happens, we observe a triple-win of improved household incomes, increased enterprise productivity and stronger revenue for mini-grid operators. This was captured in a third-party impact report on the Smart Power India effort, which revealed that, from September 2016 to January 2019, connected businesses experienced an average 49% increase in monthly revenues, with 43% of enterprises purchasing new appli-

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal /July 2019 Issue

While significant reliability and affordability challenges remain, India is on the cusp of achieving universal grid access at the household level. For sub-Saharan Africa, however, with approximately 600 million people still not connected to the grid, we have a unique opportunity to combine the strengths of grid and off-grid distribution solutions via integrated electrification strategies to recognize and serve a huge unaddressed market. This will require a dramatically enhanced commitment to collaboration, backed by new tools, incentives and capabilities to roll out electrification more quickly and more cost-effectively. Easing the gridlock Combining grid and off-grid solutions requires utilities to work with off-grid providers to incorporate business models better tailored to the needs and wallets of a poorer rural customer base. For their part, off-grid companies must see themselves as partners of, rather than alternatives to, grid electrification. Only with a paradigm shift, where utilities and offgrid companies work collaboratively to address the challenges of last-mile electrification, will we see real progress towards ending energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. And this is where African governments can play a catalytic role by embracing the potential of the offgrid sector, supporting electrification strategies that integrate the best mix of solutions, and aligning investment and other policies to unleash a new wave of last-mile electrification. To advance this effort, the Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with Power for All on its Utilities 2.0 report. Bringing together Uganda’s largest utility, Umeme, and private sector, off-grid companies for the campaign’s first project in Africa, Utilities 2.0: Integrated Energy for Optimal Impact, was launched by Power for All at African Utility Week in Cape Town, South Africa. This project will provide a concrete example of the kinds of public-private partnerships needed to fundamentally transform the trajectory of energy access in Africa and worldwide. There are still 800 million people living in extreme poverty, most of whom lack access to reliable, affordable electricity. With increasingly integrated economies, energy has become a major requirement for participating fully in economic life – whether it be for irrigation, harvesting, storage or processing in agricultural value chains, or for off-farm service and retail activities. Never before have we seen the end of poverty so dependent on ending energy poverty. And so, never before has it been more essential to disrupt and accelerate the process of achieving universal electrification.

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