Tallinn, March 16, 2021: Estonian cleantech start-up, PowerUP Energy Technologies has received a €150,000 grant to develop hydrogen fuel cell based generators for two developing countries, Namibia and Pakistan. The funding comes from Estonia’s Environmental Investment Center (Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus – KIK) under the call “Achieving climate policy goals in developing countries”. By the end of 2022, two 12 kW fuel cell generator prototypes UP12K should be developed and in early 2023, these prototypes should be tested and validated by Mushi Bio Power in Namibia and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) in Pakistan.

Elated to receive the funding for this project, Dr. Ivar Kruusenberg, Founder and CEO of PowerUP Energy Technologies said:

“In developing countries, the electricity grid is less developed and unstable, and in most regions weather conditions are harsher than here in Europe. When it is extremely important to ensure the efficient operation of communications and electricity networks, in these harsh climatic conditions, the existing energy solutions tend to fail the most. Though diesel generators are an option used in most developing countries due to being affordable, they come with the underlying cost of polluting our environment. The aim of our project is to introduce clean energy solutions in these developing countries with the help of our testing partners in Namibia and Pakistan. Through this collaboration, we are reassuring our commitment to building cleaner and safer energy solutions for everyone”.

During the validation phase, the project partners will test the generators in their respective climatic conditions and determine if any modifications are required for large scale production units. The two UP12K prototypes that are being developed can be used across industries such as hospitals, laboratories, construction sites, military, residential buildings, and mobile masts.

Pontianus Mukishi, Chief Executive Officer, Mushi Bio Power, said:

“We chose to become a partner in this project as it assists the communities who need electricity in rural areas and ensures to provide clean light by reducing the dependence on candles for lighting purposes. The technology we would be provided through this collaboration is highly in demand in Namibia as some communities are still deprived of basic needs such as having access to clean light at the houses, business premises, churches, and clubs. We look forward to the fuel cell generator being installed in our country and if all goes well, it could even be considered at a large scale.”

Speaking about the collaboration Asad Ikram, Consultant at NRTC said:

“I am extremely happy to know that we have received the grant. We chose to be a part of this project because the technology is eco-friendly and innovative. As a company working in the telecommunications sector, the generators fit well into our solutions and will hopefully bring value to our customers. Pakistan is a big country and the grid is not stable everywhere, thereby backup power is required for which hydrogen-powered generators seem to provide a cost-effective solution.”

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About PowerUP Energy Technologies
PowerUP Energy Technologies is an Estonia based cleantech start-up that produces best-in-class hydrogen fuel cell based electric generators and proton exchange membrane fuel cells. PowerUP’s technology is based on their co-founders’ 15 years of scientific research in the field of fuel cells and energy technologies. Their generators have diverse use cases in industries such as marine, telecommunication, military, construction, hospitals, off-grid homes, and rescue forces to name a few. UP® product range is sustainable since it emits zero-emission, compact and lightweight, operates silently and requires minimal maintenance. Their first commercial products include 200W and W400 portable generators and they are soon launching 1kW and 6kW generators. PowerUP Energy Technologies serves as a sustainable alternate to power generation in today’s world and helps its users in various industries to reach the global net zero targets.

About Environmental Investment Center (Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus – KIK)

The Environmental Investment Center (EIC) was founded in 2000, and for the last 20 years it has served as one of the main financiers of environmental projects in Estonia. With the support of various sources of financing, the EIC has helped to implement activities within the scope of different ministries in Estonia. The EIC was established by the Republic of Estonia, and the Ministry of the Environment exercises founder rights.