Powering the Future: The Role of Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage in Renewable Integration

Kabengele Bredt is Fichtner Director for Business Development in eastern Africa and the current chairperson of the German Business Association in Kenya. Fichtner is a leading German consulting engineer with more than 30 years of project experience in Eastern Africa including Solar PV and grid-scale battery energy storage systems.

Penninah Munyaka is an Advocate, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public, and has been in practice for over 18 years. Penninah is an expert in renewable energy, which expertise she has acquired from practice while supporting industry players on the African continent in Solar, Hydro, Wind etc coupled with her acquiring of a Master of Law in Energy and Environmental Law from the University of Birmingham, UK. Her extensive knowledge in the energy legal and regulatory space is useful to clients as they enter and settle in Africa which further enables investors appreciate the dynamics of the environment even as they participate in Mergers & Acquisitions, Penninah's additional focus area. She has assisted a multitude of companies to set-up in Africa providing support and advice throughout their life-cycle starting from set-up, regulatory compliance, restructuring, M&A, dormancy and on business closures. Penninah's strong client focus and client centricity in advising her clients has earned her a coveted role as a trusted advisor to many of her clients who can rely on her not only for strategic advice but also for precise execution in various transactions. Rödl & Partner: Rödl & Partner is a professional services firm founded and headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. It has a worldwide presence with a total of 111 of its own offices in around 50 countries with 5,800 employees. Rödl & Partner offers legal, tax, audit, accounting, management consulting and other services. Rödl & Partner is a trusted, caring and agile partner to German businesses across the world.

Wido Schnabel was born in a country with one of the highest solar radiations in the world, in Namibia. Since 2008 he is in the Renewable Energy Industry with focus on Solar. He has built a Solar modules Factory in South Africa and is now Business Development Director for Sub-Sahara Africa for Canadian Solar. In the past he chaired of the board of SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association). For the last 10 years he is Business Development Director for Canadian Solar. Doing business all over in Africa with his passion to Solar is the unique value he represents Africa in the world and has created the term 'Africa will jump the Grid!' His motto 'There is enough Sun for all of us in Africa!' shows his passionate advocacy towards renewable energy.

Allan is a Senior Investment Director at Meridiam and is currently the serving as the CEO at Kipeto Energy PLC, a 102MW wind power plant in Kajiado, Kenya. He has over 20 years of experience in the Infrastructure Sector. Meridiam is a developer and long-term investor in infrastructure projects across 3 focus areas including; renewable energy and clean energy transi􀆟on; sustainable mobility; and cri􀆟cal public services. Meridiam has +$20bn of assets under management in Europe, North America and Africa. Having joined Meridiam in 2016, Allan was responsible for establishing Meridiam's ac􀆟vi􀆟es in East Africa and has been responsible for development of the investment pipeline, inves􀆟ng in projects and asset management. Prior to joining Meridiam, Allan was a Principal at an East Africa based infrastructure focused investment company where he led the efforts of the firm to iden􀆟fy, develop, finance, on-board and support investments in the power and transport sectors in East and Central Africa. Allan also previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and at an Africa wide housing finance ins􀆟tu􀆟on. Allan obtained a Bachelor of Architecture degree from University of Nairobi, Kenya and subsequently a Masters Degree in Se􀆩lements and Infrastructure Development from Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

Ismail Muyinda is a dedicated renewable energy professional with 10+ years of experience in productive use of energy, project management, business development, and strategic communications. He specializes in team leadership, communication, strategy formulation, partnership management, international relations, advocacy, and opportunity identification to support sector growth. Ismail has worked across East Africa with leading organizations such as the Uganda Solar Energy Association, Energy Without Borders, and The Sure Chill Company (UK). He currently serves as the International Relations and Advocacy Lead for the Somalia Green Energy Association, championing sustainable energy initiatives in the region.