Third International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference Kicks Off Tomorrow in Nairobi

Key stakeholders from the off-grid renewable energy sector – including policy makers, the private sector, financiers, and development institutions – gather at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi tomorrow to push forward the global off-grid agenda.

The third International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC), organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), aims to improve electricity access by scaling up off-grid renewables. The event features Kenya Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Charles Keter and IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin and other high-level speakers.

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, approved at the UN General Assembly last September, seek to eradicate poverty while healing and securing our planet. A central component of this agenda is to ensure universal access to clean, reliable electricity.

Today, roughly 15 per cent of the world’s population lives without electricity. To achieve universal electricity access by 2030, the pace of expansion needs to at least double.

Renewable energy, specifically off-grid renewable energy, has a key role to play in achieving this goal. Estimates suggest that off-grid solutions will provide roughly 60 per cent of the additional generation needed to achieve universal access.

IOREC takes place against a back drop of dramatic cost declines and breakthrough technology innovations, which make achieving universal electricity access through off-grid renewables more possible than ever before.

Over the next two days, IOREC 2016 will focus on four overarching themes: stand-alone systems for rapid expansion of electricity access; technology innovation to unlock new opportunities; mini-grid development to meet growing demand; and socio-economic benefits of off-grid renewable energy system deployment.

Participants will share experiences and best practices on the design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, innovative business models, and technology applications to boost off-grid development.

In parallel to the conference, the Alliance for Rural Electrification will organise an exhibition for the private sector to showcase renewable energy projects and products. IOREC takes place directly following the SEED Africa Symposium (28-29 September 2016), an international forum to stimulate growth of social and eco-entrepreneurship in Africa.

IOREC is organised in partnership with the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and the Alliance for Rural Electrification.