Robert Aitken

Background

About Robert Aitken

Robert is currently the African Mini-grid Acceleration Programme (AMAP) Programme Officer at SEFA/AfDB. He has over 25 years’ experience in the energy access sector having worked with a range of off-grid and renewable energy technologies, resources and delivery formats including mini-grids, SHSs, improved cookstoves, biogas digesters, charcoal & briquettes, etc. His expertise and interests are in establishing the necessary conditions for the successful implementation, operation and uptake of off-grid renewable energy technologies. This includes issues such as appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, off-grid planning, project management, maturing technologies, access to finance, business models, market development, tariffs, technical standards, etc. He has significant programme management experience having been planning manager on the establishment of one of Africa’s first off-grid utilities, he was manager on the Kigoma solar PV programme (funded by MCA-T), a three year multi-million US$ initiative in Kigoma, Tanzania, he was international team leader on an SE4All funded initiative providing technical assistance to the South African government on establishing an off-grid management authority and more recently was appointed Chief Technical Advisor [part-time] on a 5 years UNDP mini-grid and energy centre programme in Lesotho. Robert has worked extensively in Southern and East Africa as well as Asia. Country experience; South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Namibia, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Zambia, Madagascar and Thailand with professional visits to Ghana, USA, UK, Cambodia and the Philippines. Key clients; World Bank, UNDP/GEF, UNEP, UNIDO, EU/SE4ALL, as well as a range of bi-laterals including KfW, GIZ, SNV, FMO, DFID, USAID, MCC, DANIDA, amongst others