The energy landscape in East Africa is on the cusp of a transformative evolution as Solarise Africa, a pan-African Energy-as-a-Service company, and RUBiS Energy Kenya, a subsidiary of global energy leader Rubis Energie, announce their groundbreaking joint venture, RUBiSOL. This partnership aims to deliver innovative, renewable energy solutions tailored for commercial and industrial (C&I) clients across the region.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Rubis Energie’s strategic shift towards sustainability and renewable energy adoption, signaling a commitment to decarbonizing its operations and supporting the green energy transition in Africa. Solarise Africa, a seasoned player in decentralised energy solutions (DES), brings its expertise and extensive experience to the table, ensuring RUBiSOL is well-positioned to drive meaningful impact.
At its core, RUBiSOL seeks to advance the adoption of solar and other renewable energy solutions for businesses in East Africa. With an increasing demand for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, RUBiSOL will address critical challenges faced by the region’s commercial and industrial sectors.
By integrating decentralised energy solutions into the energy landscape, the joint venture is set to empower businesses with reliable and cost-effective energy while simultaneously reducing carbon footprints. RUBiS Energy Kenya is also stepping up its internal sustainability efforts, committing to install solar panels at its service stations and depots to meet decarbonization objectives.
Both Solarise Africa and RUBiS Energy Kenya bring unique strengths to RUBiSOL, creating a synergy that promises to redefine East Africa’s renewable energy sector.
Jan Albert Valk, Co-Founder and CEO of Solarise Africa, shared his excitement about the venture:
“We are thrilled to partner with RUBiS Energy Kenya to drive the adoption of renewable energy across East Africa. Our expertise in decentralised solar and other energy solutions, combined with RUBiS’s strong market presence, will unlock new possibilities and empower businesses to thrive.”
On the other hand, Olivier Sabrié, CEO of RUBiS Energie East Africa and Group Managing Director of RUBiS Energy Kenya, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration:
“Expansion of the renewable energy agenda in Africa is a strategic priority for RUBiS Energie. By partnering with Solarise Africa, we are taking a significant step towards a sustainable future. RUBiSOL will not only enhance our energy portfolio but also offer our clients innovative and sustainable energy solutions.”
Solarise Africa’s extensive footprint across South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda has established the company as a trusted provider of decentralised energy solutions. With 79 contracted sites and a capacity of over 24MWp, the company’s expertise in renewable energy positions RUBiSOL to achieve its ambitious goals.
The partnership aligns seamlessly with Solarise Africa’s mission of fostering sustainable business growth through decentralised energy solutions. The company’s proven ability to implement and manage renewable energy systems ensures that RUBiSOL will deliver exceptional value to businesses in East Africa.
As a subsidiary of Rubis Energie, RUBiS Energy Kenya has been a key player in the regional energy market, providing high-quality fuel and lubricants. With the establishment of RUBiSOL, RUBiS is taking a bold step towards diversifying its energy offerings and supporting the global shift towards sustainability.
By introducing renewable energy solutions, RUBiS Energy Kenya aims to meet evolving customer needs, reduce dependency on non-renewable energy, and drive economic growth. This strategic pivot is a testament to RUBiS’s vision of building a greener, more sustainable future for East Africa.
RUBiSOL’s renewable energy solutions will cater to the unique needs of the commercial and industrial sectors in East Africa, offering several key advantages:
- Cost Efficiency: Businesses can reduce energy costs through affordable solar and decentralised energy solutions.
- Reliability: Decentralised energy systems provide consistent power, reducing downtime caused by unreliable grid connections.
- Sustainability: By adopting clean energy solutions, businesses can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
- Energy Independence: Renewable energy solutions offer businesses greater control over their energy supply, enhancing resilience against fluctuating energy prices and grid instability.
The launch of RUBiSOL not only promises environmental benefits but also holds the potential to drive significant economic growth in East Africa. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, RUBiSOL will create new job opportunities, enhance energy access, and stimulate innovation in the energy sector.
Local economies will benefit from the increased availability of sustainable energy, enabling businesses to expand operations and improve productivity. The ripple effects of this growth will contribute to the overall development of the region.
East Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the renewable energy revolution in Africa, thanks to its abundant solar resources and increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. Countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have already made significant strides in adopting renewable energy, with ambitious targets to increase the share of renewables in their energy mix.
Kenya, in particular, is a leader in renewable energy development, with over 90% of its electricity coming from renewable sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar. The RUBiSOL initiative will build on this momentum, further solidifying the region’s position as a renewable energy hub.
While the potential for renewable energy in East Africa is immense, the region also faces challenges such as high upfront costs, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to financing for renewable energy projects. RUBiSOL aims to address these challenges by leveraging the strengths of its partners:
- Solarise Africa’s expertise in financing and implementing decentralised energy solutions will ensure that businesses have access to affordable and scalable energy systems.
- RUBiS Energy Kenya’s extensive market presence and infrastructure will facilitate the rapid deployment of renewable energy solutions across the region.
The launch of RUBiSOL marks the beginning of a transformative journey for East Africa’s energy sector. By combining Solarise Africa’s decentralised energy expertise with RUBiS Energy Kenya’s market presence, RUBiSOL is set to revolutionize the way businesses in the region access and utilize energy.
This partnership not only supports the global transition to renewable energy but also strengthens East Africa’s position as a leader in sustainable development. As RUBiSOL begins its operations, the region can look forward to a future powered by clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
