Building Africa's Solar Future: Scaling Grid-Connected System

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Time: 03:30 pm - 05:00 pm

As Africa continues to embrace renewable energy, grid-scale solar systems are emerging as pivotal solutions for meeting the continent's growing energy demands. Topics include grid capacity, connection procedures, and the role of policy and technology in facilitating seamless integration. Industry experts will address strategies to overcome bottlenecks and ensure stability while maximizing the contribution of solar energy to Kenya's growing power needs. Join us to delve into the future of a renewable-powered grid in East Africa.

03:30 pm - 05:00 pmBuilding Africa's Solar Future: Scaling Grid-Connected System

Bernard Osawa

Project Director

Frontier Energy

Erick Ongera

Sales Manager East Africa

ComAp a.s.

Speakers

Speaker

Bernard Osawa, Frontier Energy

Project Director

Kenya

Bernard Osawa is a seasoned energy and extractives sector leader with over 25 years of experience in strategy, planning, policy, regulation and compliance, government relations, project development, structuring and investments in public and private sector engagement across Africa. Currently Project Director, Partner at Frontier Energy, he has served as the Vice-Chair, Energy and Extractives at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Director of Renewable Energy at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and Environment and Resources Recovery Manager for Lafarge in East Africa. He holds an M Sc. in Renewable Energy from Oldenburg University, Germany, and a B Sc. In Physics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaker

Erick Ongera, ComAp a.s.

Sales Manager East Africa

Czech Republic

Erick Ongera, ComAp's Sales Manager in East Africa, is an experienced Electrical Engineer with insights into micro/minigrid systems. He has already worked on several successful Solar projects within the East African market.

Further Content

Session

Deep Dive West: Solar and Energy Opportunities in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 04:00 pm - 04:45 pm

Delve into the thriving renewable energy markets of West Africa, focusing on Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire. This session will highlight market overviews, investment opportunities, and the latest developments in solar and energy storage. Regional experts will discuss key policy trends, financing mechanisms, and technological advancements driving growth in these dynamic economies. Join us to explore the future of energy in West Africa and expand your market reach!

Session

Matchmaking Session

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 pm - 12:40 pm

The GET.invest Matchmaking Sessions are part of the services offered by GET.invest to mobilise investments in renewable energy projects and businesses. The sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to connect with potential business partners, public and private investors and policymakers in a series of selected personal meetings with a duration of 20 minutes. The GET.invest Matchmaking Sessions with bilateral meetings will be held on 12-13 March, 2025 at the detailed slots as indicated on the Agenda.

Special Event

Dinner Party

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 07:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Location: Zen GardenLower Kabete Road,Nairobi, Kenya Zen Garden is the ultimate venue, captured in the scenic surroundings of Nairobi's Spring Valley. The sheer beauty of the location, uncompromised quality of food and high level of service. Bus shuttle will be provided on first come first served basis. Sponsored by TBEA.

Session

PV Applications: Agri PV, Water Treatment, Food & Agriculture

Thursday, March 13, 2025, 09:00 am - 10:30 am

Kenya's abundant solar resources offer immense potential to supply clean water, boost agriculture, and enhance climate resilience amid frequent droughts and erratic rainfall. Affordable, scalable solar energy powers robust technologies for rural areas, such as solar-driven water pumps, wastewater treatment, desalination, and Agri-PV systems combining crop cultivation with energy production. These solutions enable more harvests, better plant growth through adaptive shading, and improved storage via solar drying/cooling, increasing farmers' income and food security. Solar-powered electric mobility with local two- and three-wheelers enhances transport and reduces reliance on gasoline.The session will showcase proven technologies improving rural livelihoods globally. Organized by GIZ Kenya and AWE, it features energy-efficient, scalable solutions integrating the Energy-Food-Water nexus. Attendees can explore innovative technologies and engage directly with solution providers.

Session

Accelerating C&I: Unlocking Growth in Commercial & Industrial Solar

Thursday, March 13, 2025, 01:30 pm - 03:00 pm

Discover how evolving policy frameworks, such as open access and wheeling regulations, are creating new opportunities for the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar sector. This session explores the transformative role of energy storage in firming solar supply and examines whether C&I solar is disrupting traditional centralized power systems. Gain expert insights into emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of decentralized energy solutions in the C&I space.