GreenWish wins outstanding contribution in power award
Africa focused renewable power producer GreenWish Partners on Monday May 22, 2017 announced it was shortlisted in three categories at the Africa Utility Week Awards ceremony that took place in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa, from 16 to 18 May. GreenWish was shortlisted in the “Large Scale Renewable Energy Project of the Year” and “Deal of the Year” categories. Founding Partner Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian received the “Power Outstanding Contribution Award”. GreenWish also won the Africa investor Award: “African Social Project Developer of the Year”.
In a record time, GreenWish has developed and connected the Senergy 2 plant in Senegal, West Africa’s first industrial size solar plant with a capacity of 20 MW, supplying 160,000 people and saving 23,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Since its inception, GreenWish has also raised USD $270 million of equity from private and institutional investors, both African and international, including private equity firm Denham Capital and Caisse des dépôts du Sénégal. GreenWish has a team of 25 members and offices in France, Ireland, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The firm counts over 300 MW of projects at an advanced stage and a pipeline of 1 GW in Sub-Saharan Africa.
GreenWish’s business model is dedicated to powering Africa with renewable energy and to bring climate smart solutions to the people in the most inclusive, innovative and disciplined manner. Inclusivity is among the company’s core principles. Not only does it employ local talents, it also welcomes local investors in its projects.
GreenWish offers on-grid solutions (competitive and reliable utility-scale power plants) as well as captive power solutions for the private sector: reliable, clean and affordable power to the telecom sector, energy-intensive industries and commercial buildings, using best-in class solar-hybrid and storage solutions. It also launched GreenWish Connect, a “Last mile” smart solution including power and connectivity services associated with digital content in partnership with large distribution networks.
Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian said, “I believe we have a duty to address Africa’s pressing energy deficit. Renewable energies, together with inclusive and innovative business models, are essential to tackle Africa’s challenges. 100% of electrification would generate an increase in African GDP growth of 10 to 15% per year for 15 years.”
She went on: “Of course, nothing would have been possible without our talented and dedicated team. Today’s award is a celebration of their vision, commitment and values. Every day, they help us grow GreenWish and implement groundbreaking projects across the continent. I would also like to thank our investors such as Denham Capital and the Sovereign Fund of Senegal, Caisse des Dépôts, as well as our government partners and utility companies who support us on independent power projects.”
