Energy Investment Village: African clean-tech brilliance

 

The Green Energy Africa Summit is gearing up for its high-stakes Energy Investment Village, a pivotal platform where ten leading African clean-tech start-ups will pitch their innovative solutions to an esteemed panel of judges and potential international investors.

Set to take place on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, at Cape Town’s Freeport Saldanha’s Innovation Campus, the event signifies the increasing global interest in African clean-tech ventures and their potential to drive sustainable energy solutions.

Western Cape premier Alan Winde will inaugurate the Energy Investment Village, showcasing the province’s commitment to clean energy innovation. This marks the second year of the initiative, which is organised in collaboration with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, Anza Capital, and Freeport Saldanha’s Innovation Campus.

The Energy Investment Village is supported by a consortium of organisations, including Africa Scotland Business Network, JSE, Oceanhub-Africa, Savant, Firecracker, CHIETA, and Sasol.

Africa faces a critical energy deficit, necessitating substantial investment. According to the International Energy Agency, the continent needs to double its energy investment to over $200 billion per year by 2030 to achieve its development goals. Despite this urgency, investments in emerging and developing economies have stagnated since the Paris Agreement in 2015, except for China.

Winde emphasised the importance of clean energy, stating, “Our energy demands are currently outstripping supply. Clean energy solutions must be a priority, particularly for South Africa, to achieve our goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives like the Green Energy Africa Summit’s Energy Investment Village are crucial for fostering clean energy innovation.”

Meet the 10 clean-tech finalists

• Therm: Sustainable heating solutions focusing on efficient energy consumption.
• AET Africa: Providers of renewable energy systems, specialising in solar and wind power generation across Africa.
• Ceneco Green Power: Developers of environmentally friendly power plants dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.
• Energy Cubes: Innovators in energy storage, offering scalable and cost-effective solutions for optimising power distribution.
• Powerstove: Suppliers of clean cooking solutions through efficient, clean-burning stoves for households and communities.
• Revive Earth: Converting organic waste into renewable resources while mitigating environmental impact.
• Green Share: Decentralised energy management system providers, enabling communities to generate, store, and share renewable energy.
• Think Bikes: Sustainable urban transportation pioneers, designing and manufacturing electric bicycles for eco-conscious commuters.
• Flx: Offering cutting-edge electric vehicles focusing on performance, affordability, and sustainability.
• Impact-free Water: Providers of sustainable solutions for clean and accessible water in resource-challenged regions.

In addition to potential investor-start-up partnerships, the competitors have the opportunity to win valuable prizes, including training programs, acceleration programmes, supplier development initiatives, and cash, showcasing the extensive support system provided by the Energy Investment Village sponsors.

The Energy Investment Village stands as a testament to Africa’s potential in clean energy and its ability to attract international investments, marking a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for the continent.

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