REAL Programme Catalyst June Newsletter
In our June newsletter, REAL Programme Catalyst highlights growing momentum for our approach to Energy-as-a-Service with industry recognition, a London Climate Action Week panel, and a feature in a new sector report.
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On stage at the Ashden Awards ceremony where REAL took home the award for Solving Energy Challenges.
REAL Programme Catalyst wins Ashden Award for Solving Energy Challenges
REAL Programme Catalyst are proud winners of one of the world's leading awards recognising climate and energy innovation.
We’re delighted to have this recognition for REAL's plan for systemic change through delivering Energy-as-a-Service to the most rural and remote communities.
The award ceremony took place at the National Gallery in London on the 18th June, where REAL Programme Catalyst was honoured alongside other global climate and energy innovators.
REAL Programme Catalyst Executive Director Ieva Indruiniate collects their Ashden Award and gives her acceptance speech.
Reflecting on the award, our Executive Director Ieva Indriunaite said: "We're delighted with this recognition of REAL Programme Catalyst's plan for systemic change in energy access for the last mile. Winning the Ashden Award highlights the importance of moving the sector closer to truly affordable and universal long-term energy access through innovative business models and catalytic finance."
We're proud of all our partners, funders, and the communities that make this work possible, and we’re excited about what’s ahead as we continue to drive forward inclusive catalytic programmes. Congratulations to all the other inspiring organisations shortlisted, and thank you to the team at Ashden for this opportunity.
REAL Programme Catalyst hosted the high-level panel: Electrifying the hardest to reach through on innovative business models and catalytic finance.
REAL hosted panel on electrifying hardest to reach communities during London Climate Action Week
During a scorching London Climate Action Week, REAL Programme Catalyst held a panel discussion for sector practitioners, policymakers, funders and development professionals at Ashden's London headquarters.
The panel discussion saw a clear narrative emerge: energy is a public good, and this principle should underpin the way we distribute, maintain, service, and finance energy at the last mile.
During the session, Reaching Universal Energy Access: Electrifying Hardest-to-Reach Communities Through Innovative Business Models and Catalytic Finance, our panellists shared candid insights into financing and operational challenges, reflected on successes and barriers, and voiced support for Energy-as-a-Service for the last mile.
Ieva also shared our experience designing and implementing Energy-as-a-Service programmes in Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Malawi, as well as findings from REAL’s recent white paper and customer survey research.
We'd like to express thanks to our panellists, NDF Managing Director, Satu Santala, Director, Head of Energy Access and Efficiency at British International Investment Geoffrey Manley, Chief of Strategic Initiative and H2R Lead at Acumen, Jiwoo Choi, and REAL Co-Founder and Moon CEO, Thomas Samuel.
Their perspectives and shared commitment to electrifying the hardest-to-reach communities through innovative models are invaluable.
Latest sector reports highlight growing momentum for Energy-as-a-Service models
Two recently published sector reports demonstrate shifting attitudes toward electrification of the last mile with increased focus on EaaS.
REAL contributed to Structuring for the Last Mile: Financing the Next Era of African Electrification from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet which explored why reaching the hundreds of millions of people still without reliable electricity demands a new approach to financing and service delivery. The report spotlighted a case study from Why Energy-as-a-Service works for the hardest to reach, featuring MOOKA, an initiative from REAL EaaS model co-developer and pilot operator Moon which combines solar home systems-as-a-service with mini-grid operation in Madagascar.
Similarly, a recent Energy Sector Management Assistance Program report covering public-private partnerships for sustainable energy for schools and health centres called a new approach to programme design focused on sustainable, DRE-based models that ensure reliable, long-term electricity access for public service centres.
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