About Sunkofa
Sunkofa Energy provides energy services through smart mini-grids powered by renewable energy. The focus of Sunkofa is to provide people with the means to climb the energy ladder via innovative solutions related to electricity (refrigeration, milling, internet…).
Through its presence in Europe and roots in Africa, Sunkofa becomes a bridge between investors and local talent, unlocking the potential of the continent.
The problem
590m people don’t have access to electricity in africa
“With supportive policies, the IEA says, mini-grids could serve 450 million people by 2030.”
“Decentralized mini-grids combining solar and battery storage technology are now the least-cost option to connect at least 100 million Africans today, and many more within the next decade”
“Bloomberg team holds that out of 238 million households to receive electricity supply until 2030, 34 million would source energy from microgrids.”
Our Solution
PROVIDING ENERGY SERVICES THANKS TO MINI-GRIDS
OFFER FOR 100% OF THE VILLAGE: For each customer a 100% renewable solution is proposed
GENERATION SOLUTION
The generation solution is made of PV panels, batteries and power electronics, and its modularity allows increases in capacity by multiples of 10kW.
FOR ALL CLIENTS
We provide energy to everyone : residential household, tertiary, and industrial customers.
DISTRIBUTION GRID
Our distribution grid consist of low voltage and alternating current aligned with national standards.
PAYGO TECHNOLOGY
The service is paid by mobile money, and delivered to the customer by smart metering systems managed by a digital platform, allowing customer management and data analytics.
SUNKOFA’S POSITIONING: IN HOUSE OPERATIONS, CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT AND DEMAND STIMULATION
New productive services
Ability to pay for electricity increased
The village becomes a development pole
Productive usages and trading bring new revenue streams in the village
Budget dedicated to energy expenses is limited and an increase of electricity services usage
will only be possible if the ability to pay of the clients increase.
Sunkofa’s unique positioning in the market and strategy
Deployment in West Africa (specially French speaking countries) and high market potential countries with low competition
Focus on in house operations, customer management and demand stimulation
Tailored commercial offer for different type of clients integrating lessons learnt from central grids and Solar Home Systems
Proper training and staffing of local teams in each targeted country
Meet the Team
JUAN GARCIA MONTES CEO
Working on energy access projects for 18 years as Project Developer, Project Manager and Country Manager in over 20 African countries
Former Managing Director of PowerCorner, initiative of ENGIE for mini-grids in rural Africa
Former Director Rural Electrification EMEA at SunEdison
MBA Executive (IE Business School ) and BA Law and Economics
ANTOINE VEYRE CFO
Working in finance and energy sector for more than 12 years with experience in M&A, project finance, cost control and financial planning
Former CFO of PowerCorner
Former financial advisor of Rassembleur d’Energie, ENGIE impact investing fund. Investment in solar home service company BBOX closed in June 2016
Master in Business Science - HEC – Paris, 2006
GUILLAUME VAN DER SCHUEREN COO
Ensures service delivery excellence in efficient and harmonious ways
Digital Manager of PowerCorner for more than 3 years, from its pilot to its international scale-up phase
7+ years of digital consulting for the public and private sector
Master in Management at Louvain School of Management (UCLouvain) and Bachelor in applied Computer Sciences
IRENE CALVÉ SABORIT CBDO
Leads the activities in new markets and identification of revenues improvement actions
Successful development of mini-grids activities in different countries for the past 2 years at PowerCorner
4 years experience in consultancy focusing on energy markets and tariffs, B2C opportunities, distributed energy and rural electrification
MSc Sustainable Energy at Danmarks Tekniske Universitet and MSc Industrial Engineer Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
ESTEBAN PEREZ GONZALEZ CTO
Wide experience in solar energy, designing and optimizing PV & Hybrid Mini Grid solutions for energy access at companies like PowerCorner, SunEdison, Isolux Corsan or Gamesa Solar since 2007.
BSc Mining Engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and MSc Energy in MINES ParisTech.
Lessons learnt from our experience
Regulatory frameworks are key, but authorities’ engagement and willingness to develop mini-grids operated by private players is as important.
Software system design must be driven by processes. Well defined processes don’t require enormous digital investments.
Technical competences on the ground are mandatory for new connections, ensure the modularity of the solution & enable the connection and training of productive clients.
Mini Grid (MG) developers focus on cost reduction and connection and not enough on customer service & demand stimulation.
Talent identification, clear processes and proper training are essential to avoid overstaffed inefficient local teams.
Mastering operational management, optimizing customer portfolios and adopting a price structure that makes cash flows more resilient to demand risk.
Tailored commercial offer for different type of
clients integrating lessons learnt from central grid and shs
Using Mobile money and PAYGO technology
Residential clients,
communities & small businesses
Flexible payment scheme
Differentiated offers providing the right value for the different categories of clients
Energy service offer
Including appliances and electricity
Industrial clients
Energy
Clean, reliable, and competitive energy pricing for economical growth
Productive appliances
Specific customer service for productive appliances
Projects
Sunkofa in consortium with PowerGen through their affiliate Mionwa was one of the awardee of the call for project OCEF (Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility) supported by US development Financing Institution MCC (Millenium Challenge Corporation) and signed with MCA Benin II a grant contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of solar mini grids in 40 rural localities in the departments of Atlantique, Collines, Couffo, Ouémé, Mono and Zou. This project should provide access to electricity to 80 000 beneficiaries.
Sunkofa was one of the awardee of the call for project IAEREP (Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production) and signed with European Union a grant contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of solar mini-grids in Zambia.
Partners
SUNKOFA
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
Our name takes inspiration from the word “Sankofa”: from the Twi language of Ghana "Go back and get it"; we must look back to the past so that we may understand how we became what we are, and move forward to a better future.
It is our inspiration to capitalize on our previous experiences in energy access in order to provide the best value proposition for our customers.
Careers
Send us your CV at careers@sunkofa.energy