Partners of FRES (click for more info):
Nuon
FRES was founded by Nuon in 2004. In 2006, it was established in a five-year agreement that we receive an annual contribution of € 75,000 and that Nuon provides one employee. Nuon received an ACP-EU Energy Facility subsidy in 2008 for our activities in Burkina Faso. On the basis of old agreements, in 2008, over € 175,000 was available to FRES for investments in Yeelen Kura and Yeelen Ba. In 2008, Nuon signed a public-private partnership between Nuon and FRES supporting the millennium objectives in Africa in the period 2008-2011. In 2008, Nuon gave € 9 million to FRES and in 2009, Nuon became the main sponsor of FRES.
The Dutch Government
The minister of Development cooperation, Nuon and FRES signed a public-private partnership in 2008. DGIS (Directoraat voor Internationale Samenwerking) freed up € 10 million for our objective to have 100,000 customers connected to durable energy by 2020. Additionally, we agreed that the minister will support us in legal and management procedures in project countries and in finding supplementing funding through parties such as the World Bank.
The South African Government
The "Directorate of Minerals and Energy" (DME) of the South-African government signed a temporary contract with NuRa in 2002. This contract was converted into a 20-year concession agreement for 8,000 solar power systems in 2004. This year, the contract for 8,000 new SHS was signed. The South-African government will contribute 80% (€ 4.5 million) to the costs; FRES pays the remaining 20% (€ 1.1 million). NuRa receives the amount when the systems have been installed.
The government of Mali
In 2006, the government of Mali has made an agreement with Yeelen Kura, via AMADER, for the sum of € 2.3 million in order to advance rural electrification. This contract aims to expand from 1,500 to 5,000 customers and is still in progress. In 2009, an agreement was signed for a subsidy of € 300,000 for the expansion of five mini-grids. We expect that in 2011, an agreement between Yeelen Kura and AMADER will be signed for the construction of six extra solar power stations. The subsidy will come from the World Bank.
The government of Burkina Faso
Since 2010, the government of Burkina Faso grants Yeelen Ba exemptions of VAT and import duties.
The government of Uganda
We are currently in negotiations with the government of Uganda for a concession license and a license for the new FRES company. In 2011, we will sign both agreements.
The government of Guinea-Bissau
Several meetings with the government of Guinea-Bissau have taken place, including with the ministry of Energy.
The government of Benin
In the beginning of 2010, FRES submitted a concept note within the framework of an ACP EU Energy Facility Programme, in cooperation with the Rural Electrification Agency of Benin ABERME and SNV. In this, we applied for a subsidy of € 2.5 million. This application was rejected, after which we decided to take on the financing for the coming two years ourselves. Our aim is that the government of Benin contributes 60 to 80% of the costs in the next eight years. We are currently in negotiations with ABERME about the concession permit and license for SSD-FRES Benin.
EU
Via the EU and in cooperation with Nuon, Yeelen Kura and two local partners, EU-financing was obtained in 2007 for the founding of an electricity company in Burkina Faso. It concerned a subsidy in the framework of the ACP-EU Energy Facility. This cooperation continues until the end of 2012. In December 2010, a subsidy of € 2.3 million was promised within the same program for a new FRES company in Guinea-Bissau.
World Bank
In 2010, several meetings with the World Bank have taken place. We have been promised over € 2 million for both the new FRES company FRES Uganda and the construction of extra solar power stations in Mali. In 2011, we expect to sign both agreements and will submit a subsidy application for the FRES companies in Benin and Burkina Faso. This is a first step towards a possible future structural cooperation.
Hivos
In 2009, we received a subsidy of € 200,000 from Hivos for the founding of a FRES company in Uganda. Hivos strives for an honest, free and sustainable world. In 2011, we will use this sum for the purchase of the first SHS for the first customers.
Daridibó
In cooperation with the local organization Daridibó in Guinea-Bissau, we have applied for and received a subsidy of € 2.5 million from the ACP EU Energy Facility Program. With its expertise in the local market circumstances, Daridibó will support us in founding the new FRES company in Guinea-Bissau.
PUM
PUM sends senior experts to companies and organizations in developing countries and emerging markets that can use their expertise for a period of two to three weeks. In 2010, a PUM expert conducted an investigation into how NuRa can reduce the costs of fleet management. PUM will perform another eight assignments for the FRES companies in the coming two years.
PwC
Since 2006, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V.) does a yearly inspection of our annual accounts and its agreement with the rest of the annual report Additionally, the Tax & HRS department of PwC has supported us in 2008 in the application for ANBI-status with the Tax Authorities.
SNV
With development organization SNV, we are looking at ways to work together in Africa. The first collaborative project might be a pilot study in Benin in 2011.
Clifford Chance
In 2010, the international law firm Clifford Chance LLP guided FRES in the formation of an agreement for the delivery, installation and maintenance of two solar power stations in Mali. In 2011, FRES will realize another four solar power stations in Mali in a similar way. Clifford Chance will again support FRES legally.
Allen & Overy
In 2010, international law firm Allen & Overy provided us with legal advice about the brand name FRES and our statutes.
Van Sandickfonds
In 2006, we entered into a collaboration with the Van Sandick fund in which they reimburse the travel and living expenses of Dutch students who have conducted research in the field of solar energy in Africa. In 2010, this collaboration was renewed in which the fund financed the costs of the investigation into the batteries used by FRES.
VNG
In the brochure "Millennium Gemeenten 2010", published by the Association of Dutch Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten, VNG), we wrote a piece in which concrete cooperation with municipalities is offered. When a company or citizen donates € 60 to the municipality, this can be doubled to € 120. FRES quintuples this amount to € 600, with which one SHS can be purchased.
Bijl, Partners in Public Relations
Bijl, Partners in Public Relations has advised and coached the (communication) employees of FRES in the field of communication for a number of years.
The Resource
Ever since 2009, we cooperate with The Resource in Amsterdam. This partner brings supply and demand on the fiscal labor market together. One day a month, three specialists advise us for free in the field of partnership taxes, VAT and wage tax.
Randstad
Ever since February of this year, we have cooperated with Randstad. They provide us with support in the field of HR where an HR consultant advises us in the field of HR-management and HR-administration.
Rural Energy Foundation
In September, a cooperation agreement with REF (Rural Energy Foundation) was signed. We work in the same field of activity and exchange information about the results of desk studies. Additionally, we share information about finding personnel in Africa.
Water Company Groningen
Water company Groningen donated 150 water filters to FRES in 2010. We have divided these among the FRES companies that used them as Christmas gifts for the employees. In 2011, the employees will judge the water filters for Basic Water Needs India.
If your company or NGO is interested in working together with FRES? Please feel free to contact us.
De overheid van Mali heeft via AMADER in 2006 een overeenkomst gesloten met Yeelen Kura ter waarde van € 2,3 miljoen om rurale elektrificatie te bevorderen. Dit contract beoogt de uitbreiding van 1.500 naar 5.000 klanten en loopt nog. In 2009 is een overeenkomst getekend voor € 300.000 subsidie voor de uitbreiding van een vijftal minigrids. Het is de verwachting dat in 2011 een overeenkomst getekend zal worden tussen Yeelen Kura en AMADER voor de bouw van zes extra zonnecentrales. De subsidie zal afkomstig zijn van de Wereldbank.
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