Berlin-based but African-owned company, Kowry Energy, has announced today that it has won Rolls-Royce as an investor as it sets to launch across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Kowry Energy will provide indigenous, independent energy companies with decentralized energy systems to ensure that communities and local industries get access to reliable and clean energy.
In agreement with local independent power providers and operators, the company will supply energy solutions using photovoltaic systems and battery storage for the demand of up to 1MW, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and improving Africa’s climatic conditions.
Commenting on the investment, Power Systems CFO Louise Öfverström, said, “The African market for decentralized energy supply offers great potential.
The geographical conditions provide the best opportunity to build a climate-friendly, local power supply for industrial and community customers that operates with a minimum of fossil fuels. As a young company, Kowry Energy can adapt to the realities of the fast-growing African energy market“.
He added that having Rolls-Royce as an investor and industry partner will strengthen Kowry Energy’s position in the market. “The startup can rely on our support and know-how in implementing their projects”, he explained.
According to Ndiarka Mbodji, Founder of Kowry Energy, solving the climate challenge facing the earth will only succeed with the inclusion of the 600 million people of Sub-Saharan Africa living without energy today.
“This requires innovative business models that enable sustainable energy access with scale and speed. With a scale-based business model and Rolls-Royce Power Systems as our investor we are confident that Kowry Energy will achieve this,” she added.
In the same vein, Kowry Energy has attracted former British Africa Minister Lord Bellingham to its Board joining the likes of Rolls-Royce Power Systems CFO Louise Öfverström, and German-African Business Association Chairman, Prof. Dr. Stefan Liebing.
He said, “Africa is one of the most important growth markets, and the demand for reliable, renewable, and affordable energy will increase massively. That’s where Kowry Energy comes in. The business model has convinced me.”
Speaking about the startup’s plan to launch in Africa, Mbodji continued, “We are excited to be launching this year in Mali and Nigeria and to see our business model validated by a current projects pipeline of 17$millions and growing rapidly, and I look forward to welcoming more investors committed to sustainable energy access in Sub-Sahara Africa.”
