Deadline: 20 February 2018
Energising Development (EnDev) has launched a 6th call for proposals to promote solar AC and solar DC village grids in Rwanda.
Together with its partner Urwego Bank, EnDev implements an RBF project providing financial incentives (grants) to private project developers to invest in solar village grids in Rwanda.
Village grids are conceptualised as isolated power grids or mini-grids that connect customers of a (number of close by) village(s) via a low voltage distribution networks. The business case of a village grid is therefore competing with the alternatives to either connect the village directly to the national power grid, or to provide electricity services via small electric appliances only, stand-alone supply options become increasingly competitive.
Funding Information
A single company or investor cannot, even for multiple projects, receive more than EUR 250,000 of funding.
- For solar AC village grids: The incentive will cover up to 70% of investment costs, taking into consideration the profitability of the project, the technology and the service provided to customers.
- For solar DC village grids: Solar DC village grids will receive an incentive that is fixed at 20 EUR per paying customer.
Eligibility Criteria
- Private firms, private individuals, registered associations and cooperatives are eligible to apply for the support. NGOs (those not registered as a commercial business in Rwanda), charities and government organisations are not eligible for support. However, these organisations can team up with an eligible company that will be the project implementer and applicant.
- A company must fulfil the following criteria:
- Customers need to be physically connected through a grid. Additional customers (number not exceeding cable-connected customers) can be connected through a virtual grid.
- Have an agreement (accord de principe) with the district to provide electricity at the proposed site.
- The project must have a realistic commercial potential (i.e. a relevant share of medium to large commercial customers) and be technically viable and safe.
- Have a clear plan for the maintenance of the village grid.
- Projects which receive grant financing from other donors or donor-financed institutions are in principle not eligible; however, grants from Rwandese public institutions, local districts or local contributions are allowed. Also, minor support in form of grants for feasibility studies, surveys, side-activities to increase demand, etc. are allowed as well. Please approach
- EnDev with your concrete project in case you have existing donor financing to clarif y eligibility.
- Be registered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) as a private company;
- Have a valid tax and social security clearance certificates at the time of submission of the business plan;
- Have a commercial bank account;
- Have bank financing, investors or own funds to finance operations;
- Comply with the conditions set out in this document.
- For village grids with own generation (solar), companies have to also fulfill the following requirements:
- Generation capacity of the plant is between 5-50 kW; for solar village grids it is possible to bundle several village grids in the same district to reach that capacity.
- The village grid/ village grid bundle must connect at least 40 paying customers. In the case of a village grid bundle, there must be at least 25 paying customer in each village.
- Plants with a capacity of 50-100 kW can be accepted, in line with the new RURA Simplified License for Isolated Grids. However, companies have to demonstrate high technical and managerial capacity to be accepted for such an approach.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
Eligible Country: Rwanda
For more information, please visit Call for Proposals.