Esther Wanza

Experience

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  Ministry of Energy and Petroleum,Jamhuri Energy Centre

  Jul 2017 - Sept 2017

  Renewable Energy Trainee
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  Kings Biofuels Limited

  Jan 2018 - Sept 2018

  Renewable Energy Intern
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  Energy 4 Impact

  Sept 2018 - Aug 2022

  Energy Business Mentor/Program Assistant

  Acceleration of the adoption of clean cooking, off-grid and other low-carbon technologies as a hallmark avenue towards climate change mitigation through supporting renewable energy start-ups with capital-raising, strategic, financial planning and analysis and technical advisory services under the following projects:Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Project.Project Jua.Scaling- Women in Renewable Energy (S-WIRE) Project.Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) project.Energy Catalyst Accelerator Programme (ECAP) project.Energizing Development (EnDev) Project.Green Climate Fund Project(promotion of climate friendly cooking in Kenya)Roles and ResponsibilitiesSupported a wide range of renewable energy start-up companies with capital-raising, strategic andtechnical advisory services, project development, financial planning and analysis, marketing anddistribution advice.Provided advisory to Micro and Mini grids project developers on every step in the process, frommarket sizing, site selection and financial feasibility to regulatory compliance, business model design,equity-raising and community engagement besides working communities to build the local businesses to grow and make better use of the new power supply through productive use.Provided liaison between E4I and County Government, communities, and other local stakeholders. Conducted mapping/validation exercise of the potential project areas. Conducted entrepreneurship trainings for Last Mile Entrepreneurs. Show less

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  RES4Africa Foundation

  Apr 2022 - now

  Youth Representative in the International Advisory Board
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  Pacific Gas and Electric Company

  Sept 2022 - Oct 2022

  TechWomen Fellow

  Learnt about PG&E Renewable Energy Projects and specifically the management ofsolar/Hydro/Wind projects.Visited some of the projects under the management of PG&E and its partners including h2O Works San leandro waste water treatment plant, Windsor waste water treatment plant which has a 1.5kW floating solar Photovoltaic system, its Gas Safety and Electric Safety academies.Participated in networking events organized by the utility with senior management team of the company.Participated in the company meetings on discussions around power generation from Renewables and PG&E grid –innovations.Learnt about PG&E roadmap to a 100% shift to renewable power and the economics.Learnt about PG&E curriculum development for the apprentice working on electrical and gastransmission and distribution. Show less

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  Kenya Climate Innovation Center

  Feb 2023 - Jul 2023

  Business Analyst-Agribiz Programme

  Supported clients to access concessionary/commercial financing (grants, debt, equity) using knowledge of investment requirements and negotiated and structure financings.Supported implementation of business plans, and interacted with in-house M&E team to ensure expected results were achieved, measured and evaluated.Developed a personal network in the regional finance and investment community, as well with advisors and technology experts to aid in supporting the clients access finance.Provided business advisory and financial analysis support to clients in the context of supporting agribusinesses.Analyzed and evaluated requirements to ensure alignment to client's strategy and the prevailing economic and technological advances through client baseline/assessments.Nurtured the client's business through market feasibility studies, product development, customer acquisition and revenue generation support.Identified business training needs for clients and developed user friendly and practical training modules to close the identified needs.Identified mentoring and coaching areas for the clients and linked them with the correct mentors to aid in their business growth. Show less

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  Equity Group Foundation

  Jul 2023 - now

  Energy, Environment and Climate Change_ Expert

  Coordinating all projects and programs falling under climate smart agriculture, Renewable Energy Productive Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency. Coordination of different consultancies in Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo such as captive solar and Mini grids market studies, energy efficiency, technical design development, environmental impact assessments and end-user finance studies among others to enable the bank to develop financial products for renewable energy. Overall coordination and management of energy infrastructure projects such as the Kenya Off-grid Solar Access project in Kalobeyei settlement to increase access to clean energy products. Productive Use of Solar (EnDev) Result Based Reimbursement Project, Climate Resilience in Agro-Food Systems Project and Business Development Support for enterprises project. Coordinating and carrying out training and capacity building activities internally for staff and externally for partners and customers on institutional clean energy. Over the six months I have trained over 1000 Equity Bank staff on clean energy, environmental conservation and climate change topics. Resource mobilization for the foundation through proposal development. Liaison person in the implementation of the Clean Air (Africa) project by the University of Liverpool and Kenya Medical Research Institute. A project measuring air quality in learning institutions in Kenya before and after transition Liaison person between the Pillar and external stakeholders and participation in workshops aimed at accelerating enabling environment through policy development in the energy sector. Show less