GVEP International
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GVEP International (Global Village Energy Partnership) is a non-profit organisation working to reduce poverty by "accelerating access to affordable and sustainable energy services". [1]
GVEP works with local energy businesses to make an impact on this enormous problem, there where state or large utilities’ interventions are unlikely to reach. GVEP supports the growth of small and medium size energy businesses in rural areas so that they can achieve lasting access to clean energy and improve the quality of life of millions of people in developing countries. This is achieved by bringing energy businesses the enabling resources they need to take off and become self-sustaining, such as technologies, skills, capital, and delivery network. [2]
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[edit] History
The Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) was established at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.[3] Its aim was to increase access to modern energy services to reduce poverty in the world’s developing countries – this remains its objective today.
In 2006 GVEP became a UK registered charity (No. 1119168). Since then its work has helped change the lives of about one million people by giving them access to clean energy. [4]
[edit] GVEP International's principles
GVEP International believes that business-led solutions are essential to meet the energy needs of people living in developing countries.
While governments can help large utilities through effective policies and incentives, grid extension in rural areas is often not cost effective. Only 40% of the new energy provision required for universal access is likely to be by grid extension. Small stand-alone renewable technologies can meet the energy needs of rural communities more effectively. Hence, the remaining 60% of the solution is the natural domain of small and medium enterprises. This is the sector in which GVEP operates. GVEP helps local businesses to achieve lasting access to clean energy and to improve the quality of life for thousands of people. [5]
A key principle is that anyone GVEP International supports must be working towards creating an energy product or service that has the potential to become a self-sustaining business.
[edit] In Africa
[edit] DEEP
GVEP International set up the Developing Energy Enterprises Project (DEEP) in 2008. Spanning five years, the project supports micro and small enterprises whose aim is to provide modern energy services and products to 1.8 million people in rural and peri-urban areas in the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
DEEP is supporting business proposals in many areas including: solar energy for phone charging in rural areas; improved cook stoves; briquette production; sustainable charcoal production; construction of biogas digesters; sales of solar lanterns, etc. [6]
[edit] ESME
Supporting Energy SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa (ESME) is a programme carried by GVEP and the World Bank. It assists energy enterprises by offering business training, access to finance and investment. The programme runs in six countries: Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Mali and Senegal.
GVEP supports the implementation of the programme. GVEP is working closely with government agencies on ways to increase private sector involvement in meeting energy demand. ESME projects include small hydro schemes, electricity from biomass, the expansion of solar markets and productive use of energy. [7]
[edit] Loan Guarantee Fund
In 2010, GVEP International started a loan guarantee fund to increase the access to investment finance for energy micro and small enterprises (MSEs) by linking them to financial institutions. The aim of the loan guarantee fund is to help small businesses that regular banks do not offer loans to. It enables MSEs to grow their energy businesses and also helps financial institutions to initiate energy product financing initiatives. Initially, the fund is focusing on Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. [8]
[edit] Energy Access Finance Fund
The Energy Access Finance (EAF) is the trading subsidiary of GVEP International. It has recently teamed up with Alpha Mundi, an impact investment fund manager, to raise an investment fund targeting clean energy in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. It will specifically target SMEs, which increase access to energy using renewable and clean technologies. [9]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/about-gvep
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/about-gvep
- ^ http://www.un.org/events/wssd/summaries/envdevj10.htm
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/about-gvep
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/our-approach
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/energy-enterprises
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/energy-enterprises
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/access-finance
- ^ http://www.gvepinternational.org/en/business/access-finance
