Marco Borero contributes directly towards Kenya’s target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 32%, including through development of renewable energy capacity, as set out in its Updated NDC (2020). It also supports the implementation of the Vision 2030 (2007) and the "Big Four" agenda (2018), which identify energy as one of the enablers for sustained economic growth.
Marco Borero, Kenya
REPP equity investment accelerates financial close for 1.65MW (DC) grid-connected solar PV plant in central Kenya
A USD 525,000 equity investment from REPP has breathed new life into a grid-connected solar PV plant in central Kenya that required additional equity to fund construction.
Although developer Marco Borero* had earlier secured a USD 1.8m senior debt offer from the French Development Agency’s (AFD) SUNREF programme via the Co-operative Bank of Kenya to help fund construction of the 1.65MW (DC) plant, it had been unable to raise the final tranche of equity required to complete the financing package. This was due to the comparatively small size of both the project and the remaining funding amount required. REPP’s equity participation brought much-needed comfort to lenders in order to complete the financing required to bring the project to fruition.
With REPP’s funding, Marco Borero reached financial close on the project in September 2020, unlocking the senior debt facility to accelerate construction at the site in Nyeri County.
Astonfield Solar, a Sub-Saharan solar EPC contractor that has commissioned over 50 projects in East Africa, has been building the plant since June 2020, with approximately 50 construction jobs having been created through the project to date.
Construction of the plant has been completed, and the developers are now working with the utility to connect the site to the grid. Once completed, the project will be among the first privately owned solar plants to reach commercial operation in Kenya.
The project is also helping to build local capacity with the first-time developer, which has aspirations of developing a pipeline of renewable energy projects in the region.
* Marco Borero is an SPV set up by Kenyan nationals Faith Nzilini Maingi and Henry Maina Kanyua.
Funding structure
Contracted date: 9 April 2020
Lending type: Equity and shareholder loans
REPP funding: USD 525,000
REPP came in at the right time, and I'm sure without them Marco Borero would have challenges meeting the project's COD deadline. When REPP came on board they not only injected fresh equity, but also a fresh management style due to their experience. Now we are able to achieve financial close together.- Henry Maina Kanyua, Chairman, Marco Borero Company Limited
Technology:
Grid-connected solar PV
Project type:
Grid-connected
Offtaker:
Kenya Power and Lighting Company
Location:
Nyeri County, Kenya
Greenhouse gas emissions avoided: 1,929 tonnes CO2e per year
Improves stability of grid supply
Planned capacity: 1.65MW (DC)
Relevant SDGs
Country policy alignment
