Esther Kang'eu

Roles and responsibilities

• Coordinating all projects and programs falling under climate smart agriculture, Renewable Energy Productive Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency.
• Coordination of different consultancies in Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo such as captive solar and Mini grids market studies, energy efficiency, technical design development, environmental impact assessments and end-user finance studies among others to enable the bank to develop financial products for renewable energy.
• Overall coordination and management of energy infrastructure projects such as the Kenya Off-grid Solar Access project in Kalobeyei settlement to increase access to clean energy products. This has resulted to distribution of over 5000 clean lighting and cooking solutions and the Productive Use of Solar(EnDev) Result Based Reimbursement Project, Climate Resilience in Agro-Food Systems Project and Business Development Support for enterprises project.
• Coordinating and carrying out training and capacity building activities internally for staff and externally for partners and customers on institutional clean energy. Over the six months I have trained over 1000 Equity Bank staff on clean energy, environmental conservation and climate change topics.
• Stakeholder mapping in the clean energy, climate smart agriculture value chains and providing liaison between the Foundation and partners.
• Resource mobilization for the foundation through proposal development. I have been able to develop proposals which have led to raising of over USD 7,000,000.
• Liaison person in the implementation of the Clean Air (Africa) project by the University of Liverpool and Kenya Medical Research Institute. A project measuring air quality in learning institutions in Kenya before and after transition to clean energy. The project aims to reach over 400 institutions.
• Liaison person between the Pillar and external stakeholders and participation in workshops aimed at accelerating enabling environment through policy development in the energy sector.
• Coordinating the institution conversion program to support learning institutions to adopt cleaner cooking and lighting technologies.

Roles and responsibilities

• Mapped out stakeholders in the agribusiness sector including entrepreneurs, private sector players and research organizations in Kenya.
• Supported clients to access concessionary/commercial financing (grants, debt, equity) using knowledge of investment requirements and negotiated and structure financing. Cumulatively, I supported 3 entrepreneurs to raise USD 20,000. Supported implementation of business plans and interacted with in-house monitoring and evaluation team to ensure expected results were achieved, measured and evaluated.
• Developed a personal network in the regional finance and investment community, as well as advisors and technology experts to aid in supporting the clients access finance.
• Provided business advisory and financial analysis support to 120 clients in the context of supporting agribusinesses.
• Analyzed and evaluated requirements to ensure alignment to client's strategy and the prevailing economic and technological advances through client baseline/assessments.
• Nurtured over 100 businesses through market feasibility studies, product development, customer acquisition and revenue generation support.
• Data collection from the project beneficiaries in the target project areas to assess the progress of the project. I supported the monitoring and evaluation team to conduct baseline, midline and endline surveys.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Learnt about Pacific Gas and Electric Renewable Energy Projects and specifically the planning and budgeting of solar/Hydro/Wind projects.
• Visited some of the projects under the management of the company and its partners including h2O Works San Leandro wastewater treatment plant, Windsor wastewater treatment plant which has a 1.5kW floating solar Photovoltaic system, its Gas Safety and Electric Safety academies.
• Participated in networking events organized by the utility with senior management team of the company.
• Participated in the company meetings on discussions around power generation from Renewables.
• Learnt about the company's roadmap to a 100% shift to renewable power and the economics.
• Learnt about the company's curriculum development for the apprentice working on electrical and gas transmission and distribution.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Took research undertakings in the determination of horticultural value chains based on a trial model of Pay-As-You-Grow (PAYG) solar-powered irrigation kit by Sun culture Limited replacing diesel-powered pumps in various areas in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
• Coordinated field trainings on clean energy in projects such as the Energizing Development (EnDev) Project and Women Integration into Renewable Energy (WIRE) and Green Climate Fund projects.
• Actively promoted the adoption of clean cooking technologies and off-grid solar home systems and other low-carbon technologies as a hallmark avenue towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. I was able to support distribution of over 15,000 clean energy products.
• Supported over 300 start-up companies in the energy and agricultural value chains with capital-raising, strategic and technical advisory services, project development, financial planning and analysis, marketing and distribution advice.
• Provided advisory to 5 micro and mini-grids project developers on every step in the process, from market sizing, site selection and financial feasibility to regulatory compliance, business model design, equity-raising and community engagement besides working with communities to build the local businesses to grow and make better use of the new power supply through productive use with focus on the displacement settlements and off-grid areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
• Supported solarization of over 300 institutions in Turkana, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta Counties.
• Supported implementation of project focused on increasing access to clean cooking and clean lighting solutions in the informal settlements of Uganda and Sierra Leone.
• Supported the piloting of the Clasp project which focused on testing the market for solar milling technologies in the western parts of Kenya. The project worked with local diesel-powered milling machine operators and Ag-sol solar milling machines to test their viability.
• Coordinated environmental related initiatives such as commemoration of the World Environmental Day in Taita Taveta County in partnership with National Environment Management Authority and Nature Kenya. Represented Energy 4Impact in the County planning Committee for any environmental related events.
• Represented the organization in energy planning processes at county and national level.