Efficiency for Access Kickstarts new €150,000 COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund for Off-Grid Appliance Companies Supported by GET.invest

This fund is supported by GET.invest, a European programme which aims to mobilise investment in decentralised renewable energy, supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria.

Off-grid appliance companies, including those being supported by the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, are facing continued capacity constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, companies are still experiencing a reduction in sales and cash flow, supply chain disruptions, product development and field testing delays. What’s more, smaller, locally owned companies at an earlier stage of development are less well-equipped to weather these challenges. To help address this issue, Efficiency for Access and GET.invest’s project aims to build the resilience of up to four Efficiency for Access Research and Development awardees in several ways, including:

1. Helping to strengthen their operation capacity and job retention
2. Enabling them to maximise the potential of immediate and future opportunities
3. Building resilience to future external shocks, such as pandemics

Within this, it looks to support the development of appliances and technologies that could positively impact health. In addition to this, the project aims to publish publicly available guidance for off-grid refrigeration companies regarding whether they can reduce importation and taxation costs or improve supply chain resilience through local assembly or manufacturing.

Energy Saving Trust will deliver this project in its capacity as co-secretariat of the Efficiency for Access Coalition. Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. It aims to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.

We empower householders to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.

GET.invest is a European programme which supports investments in decentralised renewable energy. GET.invest targets private sector business and project developers, financiers and regulators to build sustainable energy markets in developing countries. Services include market information, a funding database, matchmaking events and access-to-finance advisory. The programme is supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria, and works closely with initiatives and business associations in the energy sector. Find out more at www.get-invest.eu.