A breakthrough in solar-powered water infrastructure: Dutch Climate Fund Managers and Finnish Solar Water Solutions to provide clean water for 400 000 Kenyans
A Dutch based blended finance manager Climate Fund Managers (CFM) has agreed to co-finance and co-develop the installation of up to 200 desalination units in Kitui County, Kenya. The systems are based on an innovation by Solar Water Solutions, a Finnish water technology company that has solved how to make clean water with solar power, with the lowest energy consumption in the market.
The parties now start piloting a project that eventually aims to provide clean water made of brackish ground water for 400 000 Kenyans by 2023. The total funding opportunity is estimated to be up to USD 15 million.
“We are very pleased with the initiative that will bring very clean drinking water to the rural population in Kitui County that needs it most. It is the most exciting project I have been part of in all my career”, says Emmanuel Kisangau, Minister of Water in Kitui County.
The units consist of a container that houses the technology, solar panels, and a ‘water ATM’ which allows people to buy high-quality water with mobile payments.
Tarun Brahma, Head of Investments at Climate Fund Managers stated: “This initiative covers a key component of CI2’s investment mandate: supplying safe drinking water with renewable energy to people that currently do not have access. We are excited to partner with Solar Water Solutions and the Kitui Government to develop this opportunity and combine safe drinking water supply with a 100 percent renewable energy solution.”
The new technology enables the desalination system to operate without connecting to the grid or using a set of expensive battery bank to store energy. Also, running costs are close to zero thanks to solar power.
Antti Pohjola, CEO of Solar Water Solutions: “Through this partnership with CFM and locally with Kitui County and Epicenter Africa, we can together revolutionize access to safe affordable water in rural Kenya. This project marks a breakthrough in solar-powered water infrastructure. It wouldn’t have happened without the four key elements: A sustainable technology that brings down the cost of clean water, access to finance with a leading institutional investor, local partners and a market-based business model.”
For more information, please contact:
COO Anna Pohjola, anna.pohjola@solarwatersolutions.fi, +358 50 350 3895
CEO Antti Pohjola, antti.pohjola@solarwatersolutions.fi, +358 50 668 66
About SOLAR WATER SOLUTIONS
Solar Water Solutions, a water technology company based out of Finland, delivers the most energy-efficient solar and hybrid-powered desalination systems. Off-grid desalination can revolutionize economies in the developing world and the water-thirsty regions globally. Established in 2015 and geared for growth, Solar Water Solutions serves customers through a professional partner network already in Africa, Asia and Scandinavia. Its patented technology made it to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020.
About CLIMATE FUND MANAGERS
Climate Fund Managers is a leading blended finance fund manager dedicated to securing a sustainable future through investing across global emerging markets. CFM has a long-term vision to structure cutting edge financing facilities around thematic areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including renewable energy, water and oceans, sustainable land use and sustainable cities. Established in 2015, CFM is a joint venture between the Dutch development bank FMO and Sanlam InfraWorks – part of the Sanlam Group of South Africa.
Climate Investor Two (CI2) is a financing facility mandated to invest in water, sanitation and ocean infrastructure projects in emerging economies. CI2 will follow the proven “whole-of-life” financing methodology of Climate Investor One (CI1), which has been acclaimed for its innovative approach to risk mitigation and private sector capital mobilization. CI2 similarly makes use of tactically deployed public sector capital alongside commercial funding, across a Development Fund (DF2) and a Construction Equity Fund (CEF2). CI2 currently boasts EUR 75 million under management, with capital provided by the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD). CI2 is also acting as co-developer, financial advisor, and E&S advisor to the project.
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