Friday, 19 March

Dear <<First Name>>

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) exists to support the efforts of developing countries in responding to the challenge of climate change. Back in December, we were honoured to be approved as a GCF Accredited Entity and are now busily working on a series of proposals to put forward for the Fund’s consideration later this year.

But becoming an Accredited Entity is complex and challenging, and is particularly difficult for some private sector entities. 

This week, Camco’s General Counsel Karl Upston-Hooper - who led our successful application – took part in a podcast hosted by Climate Markets and Investment Association (CMIA) to talk about what’s actually involved in becoming a delivery partner of the world’s largest climate fund.

During the 30-minute broadcast, Karl delivers a first-hand account of our two-year journey towards accreditation and offers practical advice to other private sector organisations thinking of applying to become Accredited Entities.

It won’t be relevant to all readers, but I would say it’s certainly worth a listen for anyone thinking of applying for GCF accreditation or is simply interested in knowing more about the inner workings of the Fund.

Cheers

Geoff Sinclair

Managing Director, Camco Clean Energy

West Africa

Burkina Faso: EAIF to lend EUR29 million for construction of 30MWp Pâ solar plant (Afrik21)
- The project is being developed by Urbasolar in partnership with the local company Projet Production Solaire. 

Liberia: World Bank approves financing to strengthen the country’s electricity sector (ESI)
- This funding will support the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP), the first of a multi-phase programmatic approach that aims to provide sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity to over 600,000 Liberians.

Nigeria: Lumos signs deal to recycle batteries with Hinckley Group (ESI)
- The recycling facility is based in Lagos, has already received 10,000 batteries from Lumos and has the capacity to recycle 20,000 tons of e-waste every year.

Nigeria: Construction of 10MW wind farm in Katsina is completed after 12 year delay (ESI)
- The project is expected to be commissioned this month and highlights the commitment of the current government to revive abandoned infrastructure projects.

East Africa

Ethiopia: Masdar plans to supply 500MWp of solar power (Afrik21)
- The Emirati IPP recently received approval from the government to build new solar facilities and expects to conclude PPA negotiations by the end of this year.

Kenya: EDF acquires stake in Bboxx’s Kenyan subsidiary (RenewablesNow)
- The French energy major has taken a 23% stake in the company as a first step to ramping up its operations in Africa.

Kenya: Geothermal Development Company receives USD5 million grant for exploration (ThinkGeoEnergy)
- The grant, provided by the African Union, will enable the GDC to conduct exploration works for the Paka Geothermal Project in Kenya.

Southern Africa

Angola: AfDB approves USD530 million loan for transmission infrastructure (Afrik21)
- The 400kV line will enable 2,250MW to be transported from the northern grid, which has surplus renewable power, to the south, which is heavily reliant on diesel generators.

South Africa: Government launches tender for 1GW of solar (PV-Magazine)
- The fifth round of the REIPPP programme has been launched and it aims to acquire 1GW of solar and 1.6GW of wind power.

South Africa: Preferred bidders announced for emergency power procurement (Africa Energy)
- Eight preferred bidders have been announced as the government urgently seeks to acquire 2GW of power as supply shortage looms.

Africa - general

General: The Trade Development Bank launches USD75 million off-grid support facility for SMEs (ESI)
- The TDB facility will enable greater access to debt financing for SMEs in the renewable off-grid energy sector, but also for other companies in the broader infrastructure value chain.

Mini-grids: New clean energy mini-grid policy development guide released (Ruralelec)
- This resource takes an in-depth look at the mini-grid market and was developed in partnership by ARE, AMDA, UNIDO, INENSUS and the AfDB Green Mini-Grid Help Desk.

Solar: African petrol stations embracing off-grid solar (PV-Magazine)
- A recently released report by Africa Solar Outlook indicates a growing trend toward petrol stations adopting clean solar power and achieving grid independence.

West Africa: World Bank approves USD22.5 million grant (Afrik21)
- This funding will enhance the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project’s (Rogep) capacity which will  increase electrification rates in 19 West and Central African nations.

Rest of World

Solar: 14.4TW of solar needed to prevent global temperatures from rising above 1.5C (PV-Tech)
- A recently released IRENA report estimates that 840GW of new renewable energy capacity and USD237 billion of investment will be required annually to avoid significant temperature rises.

Solar: Off-grid solar investment has remained robust throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (GOGLA)
- Last year, investment in the sector amounted to USD316 million (four-times the 2019 total) with significant shifts noticed in both the type and focus of investments made.

Wind: China blows past global wind power records by doubling annual installations in 2020 (GWEC)
- China has broken the record for most wind capacity installed in a year by installing 52GW in 2020 alone.

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