By Prince Okafor

Phanes Group, an inter-national end-to-end solar provider headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has announced the 2nd edition of its Solar Incubator programme, aimed at identifying PV projects of potential in sub-Saharan Africa by providing support to funding, and commercial and technical knowledge.

The initiative held under the theme: Your Project, Our Expertise for a Sustainable Future, will be held in collaboration with Hogan Lovells, responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding (RINA and Solarplaza) and invites PV developers to submit proposals for projects based in sub-Saharan Africa that have a clear Corporate Social Responsibility component.

Candidates are asked to submit their proposals by September 27 (11.59 p.m. CET) via the process established on Phanes Group’s website. Those who are shortlisted will be invited to present their projects to an expert panel comprised of the Solar Incubator partners at the Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa 2018 conference in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 7 to 8, where the industry’s key players will hold extensive discussions on solutions for Africa’s solar energy requirements and bridging the bankability gap.

It comes as part of Phanes Group’s core strategy to collaborate with Africa-focused counterparties, such as local project owners, governments, and developers on projects that seek to create a sustainable future for urban and rural communities across the sub-Saharan African region.

“The majority of our business focuses lies in electrifying new markets in sub-Saharan Africa. With CSR at the heart of our business model, we launched this initiative with the goal of bringing bankability to projects that stand to provide clean energy to economies that need it most. The Phanes Group Solar Incubator is an example of this,” said Martin Haupts, CEO, Phanes Group.

“Entering the Phanes Group Solar Incubator means creating the opportunity to not only win, but the possibility to gain further exposure to key industry players through the evaluation panel. We have already seen great success from last year’s projects, and we are confident that as this initiative continues to grow, more and more businesses across the continent will be able to effectively address local needs for clean and affordable energy.”

Christopher Cross, Partner of law firm, Hogan Lovells, who will be part of the evaluation panel at the event, said: “We are delighted to be invited again this year to take part in such an exciting and on-the-ground initiative such as this. I had a great experience last year and look forward to seeing what is in store for us in Rwanda. As stated previously, the Solar Incubator seeks to foster both local innovation and investment to bring potential opportunities to fruition for the social and economic benefit of the region and its people.”