23 episodes

Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids.
In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share.
From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing.
This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange.
Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.
So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)Visit www.inensus.com  for more info.

The Mini-Grid Business Nico Peterschmidt / INENSUS

    • Business

Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids.
In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share.
From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing.
This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange.
Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.
So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)Visit www.inensus.com  for more info.

    The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop

    The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop

    Mini-Grid Due Diligences are always complex and costly? - Wrong!

    The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop established by INENSUS, DETAIL Solicitors and Steinbeis Consulting Impact Investing reduces complexities by providing one contact point for all parts of a mini-grid due diligence (demand, technical, commercial, legal, environmental, etc.). Efficiency and quality gains from this coordinated approach to mini-grid due diligences are the result and may even unlock financing for portfolios of projects that have so far been too small to run through a financing process.

    Listen to the commercial lawyer Dolapo Kukoyi (DETAIL) and the impact investing expert Lothar Jakab (Steinbeis) as they discuss the benefits of the Due Diligence One-Stop-shop with their host Nico Peterschmidt (INENSUS).

    Impact Investing (steinbeis.de)

    Detail Solicitors | Nigeria's first commercial solicitor form specializing exclusively in non-courtroom practice
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 27 min
    Mini-grid company valuation in equity transactions

    Mini-grid company valuation in equity transactions

    Unlock the hidden complexities of mini-grid company valuation with the brilliant minds of Brian Lukera Wambani from Camco and Michael Feldner from the GET.invest Finance Catalyst. This episode promises to equip you with the nuanced understanding required to navigate the valuation challenges faced by mini-grid enterprises, which operate at the crossroads of traditional utilities and agile startups. We tackle the pivotal questions: How do investors perceive the value of these companies, and what factors should CEOs and CFOs weigh when determining their company's worth?
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 42 min
    Productive for whom? - balancing energy productivity and community productivity

    Productive for whom? - balancing energy productivity and community productivity

    In this episode, Aaron Leopold and Edwin Kwesiga from EnerGrow discuss the impact of introducing productive electricity in rural areas. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of providing asset financing in rural small businesses in Africa, particularly for entrepreneurs and individuals with modest incomes.
    EnerGrow's approach, which combines technology with financial literacy, aims to improve accessibility and foster sustainable economic growth. The guests discuss building relationships with energy providers and the importance of scalability.
    The future of rural economies, with a focus on electric cooking and e-mobility, is also explored. Aaron and Edwin describe the role of mini-grids in supporting rural development and the potential to reverse urban migration trends. This episode presents a realistic look at the benefits and challenges of productive electricity use in rural settings.

    EnerGrow (ener-grow.com)


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 53 min
    The mini-grid and solar home system multi-technology approach – a way towards more finance for the sector?

    The mini-grid and solar home system multi-technology approach – a way towards more finance for the sector?

    Learn from Lynne Wesonga of Crossboundary Access and Gillian-Alexandre Huart from ENGIE Energy Access about the untapped potential of integrating mini-grids, solar home systems and other power supply technologies under one unified management and financing structure. This innovative approach aims to harvest synergies, reduce costs, and improve profitability, thereby attracting new capital flows from climate financing and large-scale impact financiers.
    For this integrated approach to rural electrification to materialize, there is a clear need for adaptability in policy frameworks and tender designs. Governments and grant providers must consider these factors in the evolution of funding structures, paving the way for increased private capital inflow into the sector.
     
     
    To make multi-technology approaches in rural electrification a reality, collaboration across all sector participants is required. That's why the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is excited to bring you to the forefront of clean energy investment at the ARE Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2024, taking place in Lagos, Nigeria from May 21-23, 2024.
     
    ARE Energy Access Investment Forum 2024 (eaif.energy)
    CrossBoundary Access - Building the grid of the future
    ENGIE Energy Access: Best Solar Best Life - Engie (engie-energyaccess.com)
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 56 min
    I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, R-RECs - revenue opportunities for mini-grid companies

    I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, R-RECs - revenue opportunities for mini-grid companies

    Explore with us Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), a potentially lucrative revenue stream for operators of renewable mini-grids. We delve into the various forms of RECs, including I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, and R-RECs, breaking down their characteristics, differences, and unique features.
    Our expert guests Linda Wamune (P-RECs), Stuti Dubey (D-RECs) and Nicholas Selby (R-RECs) provide valuable insights into the appropriate contexts for using each type of REC and discuss which are the easiest to manage and which ones are best integrated into the marketplace. Additionally, we examine which RECs offer the highest potential revenues and which ones require the lowest level of effort to administer the REC registration and sales process.

    Links to the organizations participating in this episodes:
    Landing - D-REC Initiative (drecs.org)
    P-REC — Energy Peace Partners
    R-RECs

    Links to papers cited in the show:
    Power Africa Report showing that only 30% of the revenues are going to project developers: https://scms.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/Power-Africa-Carbon-Credits-for-OGS-Companies.pdfThe R-REC Standard: https://www.r-recs.com/The%20R-REC%20Standard.pdfThe I-REC Standard: https://www.trackingstandard.org/wp-content/uploads/The-International-Attribute-Tracking-Standard-v1.0.pdfUNFCCC tool to convert renewable energy generation from mini-grids into carbon reduction: https://cdm.unfccc.int/UserManagement/FileStorage/PC1WKORVI7DGMFS84L5N03JTXZBY9UFirst peer-reviewed, comprehensive socioeconomic impact analysis of mini-grids in rural Africa: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.02445McKinsey report estimating VCM hitting $50B by 2030: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/a-blueprint-for-scaling-voluntary-carbon-markets-to-meet-the-climate-challengeDaedal Research article showing global carbon market hitting almost $3T by 2028: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/carbon-creditGuardian article showing 90% of the carbon assets from one of Verra's sales were fraudulent: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/18/revealed-forest-carbon-offsets-biggest-provider-worthless-verra-aoeNew Yorker article about similar event: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/23/the-great-cash-for-carbon-hustleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 59 min
    Mini-grid financial modeling

    Mini-grid financial modeling

    Embark on a journey to the heart of Africa's energy business, where the intricate dance of numbers in financial modeling for mini-grids is demystified. This episode brings the expertise of Kellie Murungi and Diego Perez to the table, guiding listeners through the numerical narrative that underpins the viability and strategic direction of renewable mini-grid initiatives. Uncover how these models serve as a compass, pointing towards the most promising project locations, robust implementation plans, and astute pricing tactics, ensuring that the light of sustainable energy continues to spread across the continent.
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
    Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
    Visit www.inensus.com for more info.

    • 1 hr 11 min

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