| 1. EKOenergy continues to grow |
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People often ask us how the energy crisis is affecting our work. Here are some observations:
Interest in renewable energy continues to grow. Those for whom climate protection wasn't enough of a reason to make the switch, are now discovering that we need more renewable energy to reduce costs and increase the security of supply.
There is more focus than ever on energy issues. This gives us, at EKOenergy, a chance to work alongside a wider net of partners and colleagues, and concentrate (even) more on aspects that are our core business: additional impact, direct outreach to consumers, international solidarity, renewable energy communication, and more.
Amidst the turmoil in the markets, our label is a beacon of stability. Our label can be combined with all methods of sourcing and works worldwide. Also, be assured: the EKOenergy payment, used to finance renewable energy projects in developing countries and to finance the promotion of renewable energy worldwide, has remained the same since our launch, and an increase is not on the table. This seems to be appreciated by consumers and energy companies alike. This past September, we welcomed 4 new authorised sellers and several new corporate consumers. The challenges are enormous, but together we can achieve more. |
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| "Every megawatt-hour of energy generated by solar and renewables is fewer fossil fuels we need from Russia. European solar is rolling out as fast as possible in anticipation of a difficult winter." - Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe |
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| 2. News from solar projects that are financed by you |
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Users of EKOenergy-labelled energy help speed up the energy transition in many ways. One way is by contributing to clean energy projects in developing countries. These projects improve the living standards of local communities, many of which are located in rural off-grid areas.
The beneficiaries send us regular updates or post about the projects on social media. Here are some recent updates
Renew’N’Able Malawi, a non-profit organisation that is promoting the use of renewable energy in Malawi, got 38,990 € to install PV panels in 4 rural health centres in 2 districts in the southern part of Malawi. The work has now started!
Istituto Oikos sent us the interim report of their "Clean Energy for Clean Water" project in Tanzania. Earlier this year we granted them 20,000 € to install solar-powered water pumping systems in 2 villages in Northern Tanzania. The works are expected to be completed before the end of November 2022.
The African Centre for Renewable Energies and Sustainable Technologies from Cameroon sent us photos of their work. They got 27,000 € to provide reliable, clean energy and water access to 6 health centres in the Bamboutos department, Cameroon.
Green Empowerment and their local partners are in process of bringing solar power to 8 health clinics on the Myanmar-Thailand border. The technicians have now designed the solar panel structures, combiner boxes, light bulbs and outlet fixtures. The installation will follow in the coming weeks.
Together with the Siemenpuu Foundation, we supported the Nepalese organisation Centre for Rural Technology (CRT/N) to build a solar-powered mini-grid and grain mill in an off-grid village, and to use this case as an inspiring example for the energy plan of the local municipality. A few months ago, they published a video about the project in one of the Nepalese languages and very recently, they have added English subtitles. Absolutely worth the watch!
The French NGO Santé Sud submitted the final report of a small solar project in Mali. They brought solar power to 4 health centres, enabling them to run an electronic patient medical record system.
Follow us on social media for regular updates about these projects and others that have been realised thanks to the users and sellers of EKOenergy-labelled energy. |
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| 3. The first EKOenergy consumer in Peru |
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Universidad Continental Campus Huancayo is now using EKOenergy-labelled solar power from their own on-site solar installation! This is the first EKOenergy consumer in Peru!
Thanks a lot to all those involved, in particular Caral Soluciones Energeticas, the installer of the solar system and one of our authorised service providers in Peru.
By adding the EKOenergy label to kilowatt-hours that are produced and consumed on-site, consumers such as Universidad Continental:
- show that they think globally & act locally,
- help us promote renewable energy use worldwide,
- contribute to financing off-grid solar in developing countries,
- can use our internationally recognised logo in their communications.
There is good news from neighbouring Ecuador as well: solar energy company Deltaglobal set up a new 336 kWp solar installation on the roof of Grafimpac, a printing company from Guayaquil and all the on-site consumed solar power will get the EKOenergy label! |
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| "Time to celebrate! 🥳🥳🥳 10 years - 17 languages - 73 international volunteers - Hundreds of learning experiences. - Thank you EKOenergy for your commitment to @EuropeanYouthEU" Kati Inkinen, Finnish Agency for Education, on the 10th anniversary of EKOenergy's participation in the European Solidarity Corps Programme |
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| 4. On our way to RE-Source, by boat and train |
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EKOenergy is a proud partner association of the upcoming RE-Source conference, taking place in Amsterdam this week. The conference focuses on the latest developments in sourcing renewable energy, with particular emphasis on PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements). It's one of the biggest gatherings of corporate buyers and clean energy suppliers, offering plenty of opportunities for learning, discussions and meetings.
Merve Güngör from our Secretariat (in Helsinki) is travelling to Amsterdam this year by boat and train. This way we show our full support for low-carbon ways of travelling.
If you are in Amsterdam, feel free to get in touch with Merve to learn more about EKOenergy-labelled PPAs. Did you know that we can help you increase the positive impact of your renewable energy choice? Or maybe you want to complement your EKOenergy-labelled PPA on one location with other EKOenergy-labelled renewable energy solutions on other locations?
As always, we are available via email and phone too and never hesitate to schedule a virtual meeting if you or your clients are looking for ways to speed up the energy transition and encourage others to do the same. |
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| "Thanks to EKOenergy ecolabel, co-financier of the project, the vegetable garden will also have a drip irrigation system. EKOenergy finances the irrigation system and solar-powered pump, which will enable bigger crops, since they are no longer dependent on the rainy season. This will increase profit and improve families’ food security.🥦" Dodo, about a solar project in Gambia, on Linkedin |
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| 5. Long-term Climate Fund grants: comments welcome |
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For every MWh of EKOenergy, 0.10€ goes to EKOenergy's Climate Fund to finance new renewable energy projects in developing countries. All supported projects contribute to the realisation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 2 (Zero hunger) and SDG 3 (Good health and well-being).
In the past 8 years, we have financed 79 renewable energy projects for a total sum of almost 2 million euros. You can find an overview of all financed projects on the Climate Fund page of our website.
To increase the impact of our work, and to keep the ever-growing Climate Fund manageable, we are now exploring opportunities to make larger grants to multi-annual projects. We want to determine what additional requirements we should set for long-term projects. For example, how can we ensure replicability, and which Sustainable Development Goals and which geographical areas should we focus on in particular?
If you want to be involved in the thinking process, get in touch! |
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| 6. Other initiatives that we supported in the past month |
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EKOenergy regularly supports actions and initiatives of like-minded networks and organisations.
Together with 23 other groups and organisations, we co-signed a letter to the Members of the European Parliament, asking them to align taxation schemes with the polluter pays principle.
Some of our team joined a demonstration organised by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation to remind the Finnish government of the priorities for next year's budget: stop subsidies that fuel the climate crisis and invest in a fast and fair energy transition instead. We also joined the March for the Forest in Helsinki, together with 1000s of others, to draw attention to the importance of forest protection in regard to biodiversity and climate.
Through marketing and sponsorship, fossil companies are promoting and normalising fossil fuel usage when we should urgently phase out fossil fuels. We supported (and signed) a letter to the UNFCCC Secretariat, asking them to not accept fossil sponsorships and ban all fossil ads at the upcoming COP27 climate conference.
We continue to participate in the weekly Fridays For Future gatherings in front of the Finnish Parliament, to remind our politicians that we are in the middle of a climate crisis and that they should treat the crisis as a crisis. |
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| "In the first 3 months of 2022, 28 of the world’s largest oil and gas producers made more than $100 bil, whilst impacted people suffer from extreme weather and soaring energy bills. #PayUp4LossAndDamage!." - Climate Action Network Europe, on Twitter |
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| 7. EKOenergy on social media |
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Follow EKOenergy on social media to get relevant updates about the climate crisis, renewable energy and EKOenergy's activities worldwide.
Here are some recent posts:
With our #EKOpixel campaign, we encourage the gaming sector to “level up” its choice of energy and switch to renewables. It’s much easier than you think: Using 100% clean electricity is technically possible, economically viable, and increasingly available anywhere. (from our LinkedIn)
#StopFuellingWar - Effective and bold political action is needed in response to Russia's nuclear threat. (from our Twitter)
This week is the Global Week to Act for the Sustainable Development Goals. We help realise the SDGs through our work at EKOenergy, and we help change passivity and fear into action and hope. (from our Instagram)
Using EKOenergy’s logo on products, websites, offices, and buildings encourages others to switch to sustainable renewable energy too. In our recently revised brand book, we explain how and under which conditions you can use our internationally recognised (and protected) logo. (from our LinkedIn)
In our newest #EKOpixel video, EKO-Aisling tells you more about the EKOenergy ecolabel. (from our YouTube) |
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| 8. New study: Africa can become a 100% green powerhouse |
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In the recently published paper "Contextualizing the scope, scale, and speed of energy pathways toward sustainable development in Africa", a group of researchers demonstrates that Africa can leapfrog carbonisation by using low-cost renewable electricity and green hydrogen. Africa can become a self-sufficient green economy and even be an exporter of green fuels.
Faced with interrelated challenges of climate change and energy crises, Africa’s future energy system orientation could be steered toward sustainable development. A novel and sophisticated techno-economic energy modelling tool is used in this study, to describe the scope of the pathways in high geospatial and full hourly resolution for Africa covering the entire energy system. The conclusion is that a renewable energy pathway is not only climate-compatible but also delivers a lower-cost system structure than alternative pathways.
Africa does not need new pipelines. No one does! |
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We at EKOenergy are always enthusiastic to collaborate with new partners.
For further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. |
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