Solar Street Lights Illuminate Bujumbura, Burundi
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Solar Pioneer Gigawatt Global Expands its Green Energy Offerings in Africa
* "By expanding our investments from commercial scale projects to include off-
grid additionally, we are positively impacting the lives of millions of
people in Burundi and throughout Africa" - Yosef I. Abramowitz, CEO,
Gigawatt Global
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, July 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Downtown Bujumbura just
got a little brighter, thanks to an innovative partnership between Mayor Freddy
MBONIMPA and Gigawatt Global (http://GigawattGlobal.com), a founding member of
United States Power Africa's Beyond the Grid program.
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This week solar-powered 'light islands' began appearing in the heavily-
trafficked central bus station and nearby marketplace, extending commercial
hours and personal safety.
"The city of Bujumbura is very pleased to be working with Gigawatt Global on
this important solar street lighting project," said Mayor Freddy MBONIMPA. "This
project will enhance security as well as provide opportunities for economic
development to the citizens of Bujumbura. It is the hope and wish of all
involved that this project can spread throughout the city, as well as expand to
other cities in Burundi within the near future."
Gigawatt Global is now in discussions to scale the solar-powered 'light islands'
program throughout the city and in other major Burundian towns. "We are grateful
and pleased to work with the city of Bujumbura, and the Honorable Mayor Freddy
MBONIMPA to realise this important first step of the solar street lighting
project," said Michael Fichtenberg, Managing Director of Gigawatt Global
Burundi. "We intend to expand throughout the capital and to other locations as
part of our larger program of green electrification in Burundi, with 40 'light
islands' planned in the first phase of the program," Fichtenberg continued.
"Every country in which we develop commercial scale solar fields will receive
additional benefits like these 'light islands' and rural electrification with
mini-grids."
Gigawatt Global, which provides 100% financing for its projects, pioneered
commercial scale solar power plants in sub-Sahara Africa, launching the first
one in Rwanda in 2014, which is currently supplying 6% of the country's
generation capacity. Gigawatt Global will complete a 7.5 Mw solar field in the
Gitega region of Burundi in the next six months, which will supply 15% of the
East African country's generation capacity. Similar projects are currently being
developed in 10 African countries, including Liberia and South Sudan, among many
others.
"Over 95% of Burundi's 11 million people lack access to electricity. Gigawatt
Global is honoured to play a role in advancing economic and social development
through green power in the country," says Josef Abramowitz, CEO of Gigawatt
Global. "By expanding our investments from commercial scale projects to include
off-grid installations, we are positively impacting the lives of millions of
people in Burundi and throughout Africa, and are becoming a leading force in
green energy projects across the continent."
The 'light islands' project in Bujumbura is produced by a team that includes
local members Patrick NZINTUNGA, Gigawatt Global Regional Coordinator, and Deo
HUGERE, Gigawatt Global Engineer. The engineering, procurement, and construction
components of this project are being carried out by Asantys System. The pilot
program is supported by the Energy & Environmental Partnership (EEP), an
initiative of the governments of the United Kingdom, Austria and Finland, and
with an impact investment from entrepreneur Alex Goldberg.
"God bless the people of Burundi," says Goldberg. "In Bujumbura, we found a
place ripe for innovation and open to economic development."
As part of Gigawatt Global's commitment to additional Corporate Social
Responsibility, one of its investors, Mark Gelfand, funded and built the STEM
Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) at the Université
Polytechnique de Gitega.
Distributed by APO on behalf of Gigawatt Global.
Starting in Rwanda and Burundi, Gigawatt Global is a solar and social
development enterprise, concerned with empowering Africans.
About Gigawatt Global:
Gigawatt Global is a multinational renewable energy company bringing new sources
of green power and social development to Africa. Led by a team of seasoned
project developers, financiers, impact investors and solar energy experts, the
American-owned Dutch company develops, finances, owns and operates renewable
energy installations (solar, wind and hydro) across the African continent.
About Power Africa's Beyond the Grid:
The USAID Power Africa Initiative's goal is to enable electricity access by
adding 60 million new electricity connections and 30,000 MW of new and cleaner
power generation. Power Africa works to bring together technical and legal
experts, the private sectors, and governments from around the world to work in
partnership to increase the number of people with access to power.
Media contact:
Michael Fichtenberg
Gigawatt Global
+972 54 976 0092
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Gigawatt Global via GlobeNewswire
Datum: 19.07.2017 - 16:10 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 553049
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