Off-Grid to the Rescue: Rebuilding with Mini-Grids

Lana Almasri is an independent energy advisor with 10+ years of experience in utility-scale renewable projects across Europe, South West Asia, and Africa. Former Senior Project Engineer at ENERTRAG, she led GW-scale green energy developments from concept to feasibility."

As CEO of SOLAR23 GmbH Tobias Merkel is driving since 2012 the success of the rural electrification in several African countries. He started his career 2008 at leader of the controlling department within a construction stock exchange company. His responsibility within SOLAR23 containing the company strategy, the operation and financing of the projects.

Vladyslav Sokolovskyi is Chairman of the Board of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine and a lawyer with 27+ years of experience in the energy sector.

Dereje Walelign is Chief Executive Officer of Lydetco PLC, a company engaged in Solar Photovoltaic and Solar thermal solutions. He is one of the founders of the former SEDA-E that has now transformed to ESEDA and served as its president for 10 years since its inception and currently serving as Chairperson of ESEDA (Ethiopian Solar Energy Development Association). He is also one of the 7 founders of Dalol Oil Co. and has served as its Chairman for 10 years. Dereje Walelign has earned his B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Technology. He started his career in the former Ethiopian Building Construction where he started his carrier as Site Engineer for the construction of Mugher Cement Factory and later as Project Manager for the construction of Jimma Health Science Institute complex. Eng. Dereje joined Shell Ethiopia Limited and worked for Shell for over 12 years by assuming various engineering roles. Whilst with Shell, he has worked as Project engineer, Equipment engineer, Operations Assistant for Assab installation. In his final years at Shell, he became Engineering Manager for Shell Ethiopia, Shell Eritrea and Shell Djibouti. After leaving Shell, Eng. Dereje established a company named Lydetco Plc in 1996 a pioneer in marketing solar systems. Lydetco is engaged in both Photovoltaic and large scale solar thermal systems including manufacturing of solar cooker. Lydetco has currently powered its 8 story mixed use building with solar photovoltaic independent of the grid which is groundbreaking.

Lea Dunst holds two Master's degrees from the University of Freiburg and Sciences Po University of Aix-en-Provence, with a strong background in international relations and climate policy. Since 2015, she has worked in various capacities for NGOs, international organizations and consultancies. Before joining BSW-Solar, she managed international cooperation projects on climate adaptation at the consulting firm adelphi. In early 2022, Ms. Dunst started her current position at the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar). Since then, she has been actively involved in the management of events such as the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue and the "Women Energize Women" conference, as well as in studies and cooperation projects focusing on solar energy, especially in Africa.

Gianni Chianetta is Founder & Chair at Greening the Islands Foundation, Founder and CEO at The Green Consulting Group, member of the Steering Committee of the of the Global Renewable Alliance and of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy, Chairman of Worldwide Carbon Price and member of the Advisory Board at REN21. He has been working in the area of energy since 2003. He has been, Head of Comms & External Affairs at BP Italy, Managing Director at BP Solar Italy, Founder and Chairman of the first Italian Solar PV Industry Association for three consecutive terms when he negotiated the five Photovoltaic Energy Incentive Decrees (feed in-tariff) with the Italian Government, that has brought the installed capacity from about 35 MWp to more than 20 GWp. He also chaired the National Committee for Solar Energy of the Italian Ministry of the Environment, was member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for Action of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and member of the Strategy Committee of Solar Power Europe. Mr Chianetta founded the Global Network of National PV Associations in 2007, which has been the basis for the Global Solar Council being elected Co-Chairman and Chairman before taking on the role of CEO. He has a degree in Mechanical & Management Engineering and masters/seminars at: Middlesex University (London; Kellogg School of Management (Chicago); SDA Bocconi Milano (Milan); Istituto de Empresa (Madrid).