The Mini-Grid Business
Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids.
In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share.
From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing.
This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange.
Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.
So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/
Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)
Visit www.inensus.com for more info.
Episodes
35 episodes
INENSUS' 2025 Mini-Grid Market Outlook
Join Kellie, Diego, and Nico from INENSUS' management as they peer into the future of the mini-grid sector for 2025 and beyond. If you're still shaping your strategy for the year, this episode could offer valuable insights to guide your plannin...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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54:38
DC Mesh Grids
In recent years, DC mesh grids have gained recognition as a cost-effective and safe low-voltage solution for rural electrification, particularly for residential customers and small shops with power needs below 3-5 kW. In this episode, host Nico...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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58:06
How minigrids can help solve the migration crisis
Migration remains a pressing issue in Europe and the United States, often spurred by conflict but increasingly influenced by climate change as a root cause. In this episode, Nico Peterschmidt and Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl from INENSUS explore how ...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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50:50
The cooperative movement
Community-owned electric cooperatives transformed rural electrification in the USA, raising access from 10% to 90% in just 15 years starting in the late 1930s. This successful model has since been replicated in regions like South America and co...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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57:28
Impact and reach - Is it time for a paradigm shift in minigrid financing?
Minigrid scale-up efforts are currently falling short of meeting SDG 7 targets, particularly in Africa, where private minigrid companies must evolve and professionalize to achieve sustainable growth. With limited capital available for building ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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58:21
Project finance for mini-grids
Project finance has been instrumental in scaling large, grid-connected renewable energy projects, with well-established approaches that have facilitated trillions of dollars in lending to the sector. The result has been access to low-interest, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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51:47
Mini-grid funder ratings
Mini-Grid CEOs have long voiced concerns over the inconsistent and overly complicated funding methodologies that vary significantly across different funders and countries, leading to prolonged delays in electrification efforts. Similar frustrat...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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49:08
Interconnected Mini-Grids: Opportunities and Challenges
Interconnected Mini-Grids provide reliable electricity to underserved main-grid connected customers.They are a new phenomenon in the mini-grid space and beyond that provide profitable investment opportunities to mini-grid companies thanks t...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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49:42
Rural Industrialization with mini-grids
In this flagship episode, we uncover the transformative power of Rural Industrialization through mini-grids with insights from industry leaders Peter Nyeko of Mandulis Energy (Uganda), Camille André-Bataille of Anka (Madagascar), and Oluwatobi ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:38:41
Podcasters - "The Mini-Grid Business" meets "The Energy Talk" - PART 2
This is part 2 of the meeting between Olu from "The Energy Talk" and Nico from "The Mini-Grid Business". In this session, we delve into the complexities, breakthroughs and innovations within the mini-grid industry based on Olu’s extensive knowl...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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15:59
Podcasters - "The Mini-Grid Business" meets "The Energy Talk" - PART 1
As a podcaster, you meet people and gain a good overview of what the sector is all about. Therefore, it is sometimes enlightening to talk to fellow podcasters and get their view on the sector. That is exactly what Olubunmi Olajide from the podc...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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31:27
Mini-grid consultancy - beneficial or harmful?
Mini-grid consultants support the establishment of regulation or grant funding programs for the sector, advise on transactions or conduct due diligences. However, recent years have seen growing tensions between consultants and mini-grid compani...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:02:29
The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop
Mini-Grid Due Diligences are always complex and costly? - Wrong!The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop established by INENSUS, DETAIL Solicitors and Steinbeis Consulting Impact Investing reduces complexities by providing one contact ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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27:03
Mini-grid company valuation in equity transactions
Unlock the hidden complexities of mini-grid company valuation with the brilliant minds of Brian Lukera Wambani from Camco and Michael Feldner from the GET.invest Finance Catalyst. This episode promises to equip you with the nuanced understandin...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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42:31
Productive for whom? - balancing energy productivity and community productivity
In this episode, Aaron Leopold and Edwin Kwesiga from EnerGrow discuss the impact of introducing productive electricity in rural areas. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of providing asset financing in rural small businesses...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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53:27
The mini-grid and solar home system multi-technology approach – a way towards more finance for the sector?
Learn from Lynne Wesonga of Crossboundary Access and Gillian-Alexandre Huart from ENGIE Energy Access about the untapped potential of integrating mini-grids, solar home systems and other power supply technologies under one unified management an...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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56:09
I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, R-RECs - revenue opportunities for mini-grid companies
Explore with us Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), a potentially lucrative revenue stream for operators of renewable mini-grids. We delve into the various forms of RECs, including I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, and R-RECs, breaking down their chara...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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59:01
Mini-grid financial modeling
Embark on a journey to the heart of Africa's energy business, where the intricate dance of numbers in financial modeling for mini-grids is demystified. This episode brings the expertise of Kellie Murungi and Diego Perez to the table, guiding li...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:11:26
Mini-Grid Marketing and Advocacy
In this episode, my guests Penny-Jane Cooke and Brian Kawuma from Power for All, Abraham Mudasia from AMDA, and William Brent from Husk Power, unravel the intricacies of establishing professional campaigns and advocacy to amplify the mini-grid ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:08:38
Solar mini-grid technology - trends and markets
Join us as we explore the future of solar mini-grid technology with INENSUS experts Dipta Majumder and Mike Arasa Ratemo. This episode illuminates the advancements in solar mini-grids, highlighting the shift from diesel generators to more eco-f...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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52:55
Managing complexity - digital tools for the mini-grid space
The complexity of the mini-grid business stands at the forefront of Tobias Engelmeier from VIDA and Emily McAteer from Odyssey Energy's discussion, hosted by Nico Peterschmidt from INENSUS / MicroPower Manager Open Source. They explore how ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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54:18
Mini-grid logistics - daring the impossible
Every mini-grid construction is a high-stakes adventure, where the unexpected lurks at every turn. In this gripping podcast episode, my guests Chris Rollins and Davide Ceretti, take listeners on a thrilling journey into the heart of constructin...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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56:34
The mini-grid year 2023 wrapped up
Explore the African mini-grid sector's pivotal moments in 2023 in this year-end episode. Join Joanis Holzigel, COO of INENSUS, and host Nico Peterschmidt as they reflect on the year's significant developments in mini-grids. Tune in for insights...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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25:48
Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list? PART 2
Here is PART 2 of "Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list?". Enjoy!
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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44:38
Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list? PART 1
Ever wondered how mini-grid grant funders think, decide and act?In this insightful episode, we're thrilled to host a panel of experts from the forefront of funding Africa's mini-grid sector. Join us as Benjamin Curnier from AFDB SEFA, T...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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41:16