NAIROBI: SkyPower, the world’s largest developer and owner of utility-scale solar projects, recently signed a landmark US $2.2 billion agreement with the Government of Kenya during the 6th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit to develop 1 GW of solar projects. As part of this historic moment for Kenya, Skypower is pleased to announce it will be gifting two million SkyPower Home solar kits to the people of Kenya.
SkyPower, under the guidance of the Government of Kenya, will distribute two million solar kits to homes and working families across the nation currently without access to electricity. The portable SkyPower Home solar kits include a solar panel and an inverter to help Kenyans harness the power of the sun. The home solar kits include LED bulbs, a fan, USB charging capabilities and a radio that will be powered and recharged by the sun.
“This monumental grant marks the largest single commitment in history, which provides an unprecedented solar solution to give power to the people of Kenya and communities without access to basic power,” said Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower. “We are proud to help empower Kenya to harness the abundant power of the sun to improve the lives and economic prospects of its people, ultimately positioning Kenya to become a renewable energy hub for Africa.”
SkyPower Home solar kits will help Kenya’s citizens leapfrog towards greater energy access and increase the standard of living as a whole. Kenya and its people are realizing rapid growth as the largest economy in East Africa. SkyPower is proud to play an integral role in creating new green energy jobs, advancing opportunities for skills development and training, and providing basic access to energy with its recent commitments in the country.
“We are delighted to work with the Kenyan Government in the rapid implementation of this micro-electrification initiative that will help millions of people,” said Charles Cohen, Executive Vice President of SkyPower Global. “This progressive partnership is the next step in generating a brighter future for Kenya.”
SkyPower has a long history of working closely with local communities to produce hundreds of millions of kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean electricity every year, while ensuring that those closest to the developments reap the rewards of renewable electrification. This initiative is another step forward in SkyPower’s corporate social responsibility program, SkyPower Cares, which helps bring light to communities with limited, intermittent or no access to electricity.
“This collaboration between SkyPower and the Government of Kenya makes me proud to be a Kenyan,” said Anwar Hussein, Managing Director for SkyPower Kenya. “The donation of 2 million SkyPower Home solar kits will make a positive impact on Kenyan families, and help Kenya’s economic momentum.”
