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Empower New Energy and Renewable World Launch Community Project to Support Fishing and Farming in Kenya


The Homa Bay Solar Livelihoods Project supports fishing and farming communities along Lake Victoria
The Homa Bay Solar Livelihoods Project supports fishing and farming communities along Lake Victoria


Empower New Energy is pleased to announce the launch of its first Community Development Programme (CDP) project. This new project, called the Homa Bay Solar Livelihoods Project, aims to enhance the incomes and resilience of fishing and farming communities along Lake Victoria through the provision of solar-powered cold storage, ice-making, and water treatment systems. The project is located in Kiumba Beach, Homa Bay County, Kenya. 

 

This project is delivered in partnership with Renewable World, an international non-profit organisation with a strong track record in using renewable energy to improve lives. Together, the two organisations will work closely with local government, a community-based Beach Management Unit (BMU), and technology partner E-Safiri. 

 

The goal of the Homa Bay Solar Livelihood project is to reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access for fish and farm produce, expand access to clean water, and build stronger livelihoods for local people. More than 1,500 households are expected to benefit. 

 

A New Chapter in Community Support 

Since 2020, Empower has invested in solar projects across Africa to help businesses reduce energy costs and operate more sustainably. In collaboration with its investors, Climate Fund Managers, Norfund, and Janeiro Energy, the company has now established a Community Development Programme (CDP) to support clean energy deployment in local communities where Empower operates. 


“We believe that all parts of the community should benefit from solar energy”, said Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy. “Homa Bay Solar Livelihoods is our first Community Development Program funded project, and we are proud that it will bring real value to both women and men in the fishing and farming sectors”. 


The solar power solution helps the community to preserve fish and provides safe water
The solar power solution helps the community to preserve fish and provides safe water

 

How the Project Will Help 

Kiumba Beach is a productive fishing and farming area, but the community faces several challenges, including post-harvest losses, poor access to clean water, and limited electricity. Many fisherfolk must sell their catch quickly at low prices due to a lack of cold storage. Farmers face similar losses when their crops spoil before reaching markets. 

 

The project will help address these issues by: 

 

  • Installing a solar-powered cold room and ice-making facility to preserve fish and fresh produce 

  • Setting up a solar-powered water treatment system to provide safe and affordable drinking water 

  • Training the BMU and local residents to operate and maintain the systems 

  • Supporting 400 fisherfolk (60% women) and 100 smallholder farmers (70% women) 

  • Indirectly benefiting around 7,500 community members 

  • Improving market access to help local producers earn better prices and reduce waste 

 

Peris Gathogo, Kenya Country Director at Renewable World, shared her excitement:

 

“We are grateful to Empower New Energy for supporting this ambitious community project. Clean energy can change lives, and through this partnership, we are putting that belief into action”. 

 

The Homa Bay Solar Livelihood project aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, providing and

leveraging affordable and clean energy, providing clean water and combating climate change. 



The project aligns with several SDGs
The project aligns with several SDGs


 More than 1,500 households are expected to benefit from the project
 More than 1,500 households are expected to benefit from the project


About Empower New Energy: 

Empower New Energy is a renewable energy financier and co-developer that finances, builds and owns clean power plants for commercial, industrial and agricultural energy users. An award-winning investment platform, we’re pioneering the market for impact investments in the C&I space in Africa. Our mission is to bridge the financing gap that currently impedes the deployment of renewable energy in developing countries, with a vision of a world empowered by clean, affordable and reliable energy. 

 

About Renewable World: 

Renewable World provides access to reliable and affordable renewable energy in remote, off-grid areas, to alleviate poverty and build resilient communities that can adapt to the devastating effects of climate change. Renewable World works for a sustainable and fairer world where clean energy is accessible to all because with clean energy both people and planet can thrive. 

 

For Media Enquiries, please contact:


Empower New Energy AS:

Name: Raja Dasgupta


Renewable World:

Name: Andrea Esposito Diaz


Name: Peris Gathogo

 

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