Azuri makes Global Cleantech 100 list for 2020

Azuri Technologies, a leading provider of pay-as-you-go solar home solutions for off-grid Africa, has been named by Cleantech Group in the prestigious 2020 Global Cleantech 100.

Contested by over 8,000 innovators from 80 countries, the Global Cleantech 100 is an annual guide to leading companies in sustainable innovation.

Only the top 100 companies best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology challenges are included.

Azuri CEO, Simon Bransfield-Garth, said: “We are honoured to be again listed in the Global Cleantech 100 and for our life changing off-grid home solar solutions to be showcased on the global stage.”

“Our off-grid solar units offer multiple benefits for African consumers. The technology not only supplies affordable, clean and reliable power, but it also enables users to unlock financial services and an array of efficient goods and services powered by the solar units.”

Azuri has coupled off-grid solar with energy-efficient smart TVs, rechargeable radios, satellite entertainment, internet access and a range of other appliances and services to bring modern digital technology to off-grid households.

Since 2012, the company has sold over 200,000 systems. Through its network of African partners and distributors, Azuri currently employs more than 5,000 people across Africa, but the company is poised for further expansion across sub-Saharan Africa in 2020.

The complete list of 100 companies was revealed on 27 January at the 18th annual Cleantech Forum San Francisco.

To read more about Azuri’s outlook as an innovator, visit Cleantech Group’s market intelligence platform and download the report. [http://info.cleantech.com/2020-Global-Cleantech-100-Report-Download.html]

 

About Azuri Technologies Ltd.

Azuri Technologies is a leading provider of affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems to off-grid consumers across Africa. Combining the latest solar innovation and mobile payment technology, Azuri delivers reliable, renewable and distributed power to the millions who have no access to modern powered services. Azuri operates in five key territories; Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda with East Africa Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and West Africa Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

For more information, please visit: www.azuri-technologies.com

BrightWind Secures €162,000 in SEAI Funding to Develop a New Data Management Platform

BrightWind (www.brightwindanalysis.com) has secured €162,000 in funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the company in building a new wind and solar resource data management platform.

The platform will be used by researchers to enable them to better understand Ireland’s wind and solar power and thus contribute to the generation of solutions to help reach the ambitious targets set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.

BrightWind, a renewable energy consultancy firm, was founded in 2015 with a core competency in wind resource assessment, and is headquartered at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin.

In addition to the platform the funding will support BrightWind in building an open-source data analysis Python library, to enable industry cooperation and research activities through easy access of wind and solar data.

Stephen Holleran, Co-founder and Director, BrightWind, said, “The open wind and solar data which we will gather in the new platform will contribute to research essential for meeting the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan target of 70% of electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2030.”

“It will do this by contributing to research in wind power forecasting to enable higher penetration of wind on the electricity system and for reducing the uncertainty in long-term energy yield predictions of wind farms.”

The BrightWind project is one of 50 cutting-edge research, development and demonstration energy projects which are receiving a total of €11 million in funding and were announced recently by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD.

Dr Phil Hemmingway, Head, SEAI’s Low Carbon Technology Department said, “The All of Government Climate Action Plan commits Ireland to significant targets and ambitions in the energy sector. Disruptive innovation will be critical for meeting these targets and for achieving Ireland’s medium and long-term decarbonisation.”

“Ireland’s energy system will undergo a rapid, continual and significant evolution during the period 2020 to 2030 and beyond. Projects such as these are at the forefront of knowledge development. I would like to congratulate the teams behind the successful projects, and look forward to seeing the outcomes, which will help to lead us to our cleaner energy future.”

Demonstrating its commitment to climate action BrightWind has pledged 1% of its annual revenue to nature-based solutions for biodiversity loss, native tree deforestation and climate change. The Brightwind team recently spent a day planting native trees at Moy Hill Farm, Co. Clare.

To find out more about the company’s commitment watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MPn6xoMBLM

SuperValu & Centra stores donate over €325,000 to local community buildings

SUPERVALU & CENTRA STORES ACROSS IRELAND DONATE OVER €325,000 TO LOCAL COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

For the 8th year, SuperValu and Centra stores are spearheading environmental change in the Irish retail sector. In

partnership with the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), who provided funding for the community upgrade projects, 13 stores across Ireland have rolled out the Building Sustainable Communities initiative.

This campaign calls on stores to identify and upgrade areas of their own operations which can be made more energy efficient, in keeping with high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, but also to identify community buildings in their area to donate funds to upgrade their facilities.  The ambitious aim is to reduce energy costs, fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions year on year. This is a huge undertaking of both time and capital, but one which SuperValu and Centra feel extremely passionate about, especially when they see the difference it makes in their local community.

This year the community buildings in receipt of this substantial financial contribution, in excess of €325,000, as a result of the scheme and the stores’ notable efforts included; St. Christopher’s Day Care Centre Longford, Fermoy Rowing Club, St. Joseph’s National School Cavan, St.Benedict’s Priory Cobh and Bandon GAA, to name but a few.

In their clubhouses and buildings these local groups installed new heat pumps and insulation, while some opted for new energy efficient LED lighting. These upgrades put money back into the pockets of these very worthwhile causes, due to reduced yearly energy bills of almost €32,000 or 207,360 thermal KWH savings, and also resulted in better quality and more comfortable conditions for those using their facilities.

The 13 stores involved in this year’s Building Sustainable Communities initiative were:

  • O’Keeffe’s SuperValu Bantry
  • O’Gorman’s SuperValu Kingscourt
  • Davis SuperValu Longford
  • Conolly’s SuperValu Bagenalstown
  • Staunton’s SuperValu Leixlip
  • Smith’s SuperValu Kinsale
  • Garvey’s SuperValu Cobh
  • Dano’s SuperValu Mallow
  • Myers Centra Oscar Traynor Road
  • Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy
  • O’Leary’s Centra Bandon
  • Ahern’s Centra Carrigtwohill
  • Musgrave Marketplace Galway

Reaching new heights with their sustainability credentials this year, a number of these stores installed solar PV panels to their roofs. Not only are these stores now conserving energy through LED lighting upgrades and new refrigeration systems, but they are now creating their own eco-friendly energy to power their store.

A shining example of the fantastic strives being made in their green endeavours is O’Keefe’s SuperValu Bantry. Having taken part in this SEAI SuperValu campaign in previous years O’Keefe’s SuperValu were the first store in in Ireland to have its store refrigeration run off environmentally friendly, natural refrigerants. They also have the lowest carbon footprint possible for a supermarket, with LED lighting and energy saving doors on all refrigeration units within the store. This year they were thrilled to install solar PV roof panels and begin to generate green energy.

Speaking in relation to this fantastic initiative John Randles, Head of Delivery with SEAI commented, “Awareness of energy and environmental issues is now more integral than ever, and in order to create and maintain sustainable communities, each and every one of us must play our part. SEAI works with communities by offering grant support for much needed energy upgrades. This brings businesses such as these energy leading SuperValu and Centra stores, and the broader community, together in a positive way that results in warmer and more energy efficient homes and buildings. As well as these tangible benefits, those involved are playing an important part in protecting the planet for future generations. This project is a great example of businesses reaching out to help organisations in their community and we congratulate all who participated.”

Echoing this statement, Daniel Murphy, Sustainability Manager for SuperValu & Centra commented, “Here at SuperValu and Centra we have an ongoing commitment to creating a sense of togetherness and energy reduction within our local communities.  We firmly believe that this should begin in our own stores. We hope that our contribution and that of our retailers and the SEAI, who we are delighted to partner with, helps all the local groups and organisations involved to generate much needed savings, that will allow them to continue their fantastic work.

“Sustainability is a core value of ours and this campaign is just one example of how we strive for best practice within our retail sector. This year alone we rolled out 100% compostable reusable shopping bags across all SuperValu stores, and were thrilled to be shortlisted for the Energy Team of the Year in the 2019 SEAI Energy Awards, further recognition of the passion and commitment of our dedicated team.”

 

SuperValu and Centra are part of the Musgrave Group, Ireland’s largest grocery and food distributors. With 220 stores throughout Ireland, SuperValu has served the people of Ireland for over 30 years, and has become a well-established landmark across Irish communities. Centra maintains a reputation for quality, value and friendly service, with bright, accessible stores in over 465 locations throughout the country. For more information on SuperValu and Centra and their fantastic work in the local community, go to www.supervalu.ie and www.centra.ie or check out Facebook\SuperValuIreland and Facebook/CentraIreland.

Obton to invest €300m in the Irish solar energy sector

Obton has today announced details of its €300m investment in the Irish solar energy sector. Obton, a Danish solar photovoltaic (PV) business, and its Irish partner Shannon Energy, will develop up to 500 MW of solar PV projects in Ireland over the next five years. This represents an investment in the Irish economy of over €300m at today’s energy prices and will create over 1,000 jobs particularly during its construction phase.

Obton’s significant investment in the Irish solar energy sector was launched today by Anders Marcus, Obton CEO, Mark Foley, Eirgrid CEO, and H.E. Uffe Balslev, Ambassador of Denmark, at an event in University College Dublin. This investment will see around 2,000 acres of farmland converted to the production of renewable energy, helping to deliver the Government’s strategic goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In 2018, Obton formed a joint venture with Dublin-based Shannon Energy. Together they are building an impressive pipeline of solar power investment projects in Ireland and are committed to playing a key role in the transition towards renewable energy.

In conjunction with the investment announcement, Obton and Shannon Energy have also announced details of their first three strategic project acquisitions: the Grian portfolio of solar projects in Westmeath, Longford and Tipperary; the IGP portfolio of projects in Tipperary and Cork; and the Wind Energy Direct solar project in Galway. These three projects will deliver approximately 150 MW of solar power, which would be enough energy to cover the yearly energy consumption of 25,000 homes.

Speaking at the launch event, Anders Marcus, Obton CEO, commented:

“Obton’s vision to create a sustainable future for the coming generations is of highest priority. Through Shannon Energy and our business partners, we are in a great position to do just that in Ireland.”

Commenting on the investment announcement, Noel Shannon, Shannon Energy CEO, said:

“Shannon Energy are delighted to have secured the financial strength for constructing Utility Scale solar projects in Ireland, through our partnership with Obton, and we look forward to securing the licences for our planned implementation in the upcoming Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions over the next five years.”

Welcoming the announcement Mark Foley, Eirgrid CEO, commented:

 

“As the operator of the national electricity grid in Ireland, EirGrid is committed to achieving 70% renewable energy on the power system by 2030. Investments in renewable energy projects, such as the one announced by Obton and Shannon Energy today, are critical to achieving that goal.”

H.E. Uffe Balslev, Ambassador of Denmark commented:

 

“Obton is an ambitious Danish company with long experience within solar power investment in many countries. I am proud to support their entry into the Irish market and excited about their expected substantial contribution to making Ireland meet the 2030 renewable energy targets of the Government’s Climate Action Plan.”