The Digital Energy Facility launched the Digital Energy Challenge in 2021, for a duration of four years, with an annual Call for Projects. The objective of the Challenge is to support the development of innovative solutions for energy access, the integration of renewable energy, and public utility performance improvement.
The digital revolution is key to tackling energy access issues in developing countries. In Africa alone, 600 million people, 1 out of 2 people in sub-Saharan Africa, do not have access to electricity. Innovative technologies and new business models are making significant progress in energy access with on-grid and off-grid solutions in urban and rural areas.
WORTH
- Each year the Challenge will award 2 to 3 utility and technology/service provider partnership projects and 5 to 8 start-up projects. An annual budget of €1.8 M will enable grant-based funding, technical assistance, and strategic guidance.
- A financial contribution in the form of a grant for equipment and software purchases, training, recruitment costs for start-ups, and product/service purchase costs linked to technology/service providers for utilities
- Technical assistance for all utilities and certain start-ups on a case-by-case basis, such as project management support, strategic and technical expertise, and accounting/reporting assistance
- A boot camp run by cross-sectorial experts to support project implementation, foster synergies between project winners and share best practices
- Increased visibility for the project through widespread social media communication campaigns piloted by AFD during the selection phase, award ceremony, boot camp, and for a period of time after these events
ELIGIBILITY
- Start-ups in the pre-seed phase or with early-stage activities. NGOs can apply under the Start-up category.
- Public utilities (public power utilities and public Independent System Operators, private companies under a public service concession, power pools, regional organisations, energy regulators, and rural electrification authorities) in partnership with technology/service providers(see more details on the eligibility criteria for Utilities).
DEADLINE: May 15, 2023
To apply and for more information visit here
 Digital Energy Challenge (2023)){kind=link}