Strathmore University recently celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort of their Masters in Sustainable Energy Transitions programme. Amongst these students is Anne Wacera Wambugu, an electrical engineer and founder of Sunsafe, a solar system design startup that has just been awarded the Powering Renewable Energy (PREO) grant.
The Masters in Sustainable Energy Transitions (MSET) is a two-year multi-disciplinary programme that seeks to equip students with both technical skills (such as energy systems design and implementation, research and data analytics, energy systems auditing, entrepreneurship and innovation, decentralisation and digitalisation of the energy systems) and relevant skills in policy, project management, economics, ethics, and communications which all help shape working professionals. Strathmore University was one of the first partners to join the Transforming Energy Access – Learning Partnership, a partnership of African, South Asian and Indo-Pacific universities and other stakeholders, committed to ensuring a highly qualified workforce to drive the transition to sustainable energy access for all.
Project lead at the TEA-LP, Leslie Anne Ashburner, who aims to enhance university delivery of masters’ curricula for SDG7 shared:
“Working with the team at Strathmore University in the development of the new MSc Sustainable Energy Transitions (MSET) programme was an inspiring experience. Right from the start, the team had a clear vision of the kind of multi-disciplinary masters’ programme they wished to develop. The team included Prof Da Silva (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation), Dr Julius Butime (the Dean of the School of Computing & Engineering Sciences,) and Sarah Odera (the project lead)’ – all of them are inspirational leaders, committed to making a difference in the field of energy access in Kenya. It is wonderful to see that graduates from the first cohort are already making an impact in the sector.”
We caught up with Anne for a conversation on MSET and Sunsafe, where she recounted her experiences in the program and the development of her startup. On her experience around the multi-disciplinary nature of the course:
“The course was heavy on policy and skills you need to work in the sector, rather than technology itself. That was different – technology is easy. The moment you add people, a complicated system turns complex turns chaotic super-fast. Then there’s no right answers from there on – just balancing acts.”
Anne worked on Sunsafe while completing her master’s degree, occasionally integrating components into class assignments when it allowed. This allowed her to incrementally make progress while leveraging Strathmore’s supportive environment:
“As of now, Strathmore University is acting as Sunsafe’s incubator and research arm. It’s allowing me to get Sunsafe from the research stage into commercialisation – I appreciate that Strathmore’s structures allow researchers to do this because I haven’t seen it in a lot of places. It’s a good place to be an innovative electrical engineer, though if you know Prof Da Silva (my supervisor), that doesn’t surprise you at all. His support has been key in the success of Sunsafe.”
On how the idea for her startup was ignited:
“The idea for Sunsafe came from a challenge I observed within the Kenyan solar energy landscape. During my research, I noticed a significant gap between the industry’s focus on formal technician training for and the widespread prevalence of informal technicians, particularly in rural areas. Informal technicians often lack proper training and qualifications, leading to subpar installations and unsafe electrical systems. There’s also reliance on retailers who sell the systems to size solar systems, who, like the informal technicians, lack technical expertise. Sunsafe bridges this gap by developing a user-friendly tool which simplifies solar system design and empowers individuals to make informed decisions.”
Sunsafe, which previously secured funding from UK Innovate, has recently won the Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO) grant supported by IKEA Foundation and UK aid via the Transforming Energy Access platform, delivered by the Carbon Trust and Energy 4 Impact. The PREO grant is being used to test Sunsafe, with a focus on retailers and technicians.
“I’ve spent years navigating the world of proposals and grants, managing 1MUSD+ worth of funding thus far, so when I say PREO was a tough application, I mean it. But as challenging as it was, the entire process was also a tremendous learning experience. Overall, securing the PREO grant was a huge moment for Sunsafe. Receiving the award felt like validation for all the effort and dedication poured into Sunsafe – Sunsafe was an idea for 5 years before we got Innovate UK funding. It reminded me that hard work does pay off and I shouldn’t be scared to step outside my comfort zone.”
Jiska de Groot, lead of the TEA-LP network, spoke of Anne: “Anne’s dedication to transforming the energy landscape is truly remarkable. On several occasions during my career, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with Anne, and her passion for energy access and drive are contagious. Anne is not only a leader in technological innovation but also a catalyst for meaningful local impact. She has a unique gift for bringing people together and fostering collaboration, and it is people like Anne that make the energy field a such a hopeful and wonderful space to work in. Her influence extends beyond projects—she is a true driver of progress, shaping a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.”
What is particularly pertinent when talking to Anne is that her approach to innovation and research is both collaborative and considerate. She described her biggest course takeaway as: “Talk[ing] to people. I think conversations with my classmates were the most useful element of the course. The university made an effort to ensure that the class had a good mix of all the sectors, so the conversations were diverse, engaging and eye opening” and the development of Sunsafe is being done in conjunction with the technicians and retailers to ensure a product that truly meets local needs. This kind of tailored innovation is exceptionally exciting for the achievement of the SDG7 in Kenya and beyond.
We look forward to following both Anne and Sunsafe’s journeys.
If you would like to connect with Anne about Sunsafe, you can reach her at anne.wacera@strathmore.edu
The article was first published on the Transforming Energy Access website.
What’s your story? We’d like to hear it. Contact us via communications@strathmore.edu
ALSO CHECK OUT
See more news-
Strathmore Joins Pan-African Initiative to Transform Africa’s Energy Future* 11,Feb,2025
The future of Africa’s energy landscape just took a monumental leap forward.
-
Researchers Uncover E-Pharmacy Regulatory Challenges in Kenya and India* 10,Feb,2025
In a study that has captured the attention of the global health
-
Strathmore Students Poised to Shine at Global Sustainability Competition* 30,Jan,2025
Strathmore University’s innovative spirit is set to take center stage on the
-
How Strathmore University Redefined Research and Innovation in 2024* 29,Jan,2025
Strathmore University surged ahead in 2024, pushing the boundaries of research and
-
Strathmore Champions the Role of Digital Public Goods in Sustainable Development* 23,Jan,2025
In the dynamic and ever-evolving digital era, Africa stands on the brink
-
@iLabAfrica, NRF Collaborate to Advance Research and Innovation* 23,Jan,2025
@iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, and the National Research Fund (NRF) joined forces on
-
Here’s why you need to attend our Open Days* 23,Jan,2025
Completing your KCSE/A levels is a significant achievement, marking a journey from
-
AWEE Empowering the Next Generation of Women Energy Leaders* 16,Jan,2025
In a world where energy is the lifeblood of progress, the Accelerating
-
2024, A Year of Bold Moves and Lasting Impact for Strathmore* 10,Jan,2025
In 2024, Strathmore University shattered expectations, setting a new standard for transformative
-
Opportunities and Challenges of AI in Kenyan Higher Education* 09,Jan,2025
The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the years has sparked