Energy Catalyst
Global energy poverty is real. Over 1 billion people do not have access to electricity. Over 3 billion people rely on solid fuels and kerosene for cooking and heating. It is estimated that approximately 80% of people gaining access to electricity worldwide are in urban areas.

The Energy Catalyst’s mission is to accelerate the innovation needed to end energy poverty. It is funded by Innovate UK, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in alignment with the Transforming Energy Access international development objective.
The Energy Catalyst programme was launched in 2014 to support the UK and overseas businesses and other organisations in developing highly innovative, market-focused energy technologies to enable energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. All projects must address the energy trilemma of: clean energy, affordable energy and accessible energy.
Innovate UK KTN works to deliver briefing and brokerage activity; helping potential applicants to understand the scope and eligibility criteria and working with organisations to build consortia that incorporate partners in the UK and in-country. Through its extensive network of contacts in the energy sector and associated industries, along with its long experience of working on the Energy Catalyst programme, Innovate UK KTN is well placed to identify complementary skills and resources.
Current Energy Catalyst funding opportunities
Energy Catalyst Round 9
Opens: 18/05/2022 Closes: 10/08/2022
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £20 million to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or the Indo-Pacific regions.
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Net Zero Hydrogen Fund – Strand 2: Capital expenditure (CAPEX)
Opens: 25/04/2022 Closes: 13/07/2022
Strand 2 of the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund will provide capital expenditure (CAPEX) support for new low carbon hydrogen production facilities to begin deployment in the early 2020s. This is to ensure the UK has a diverse and secure decarbonised energy system fit for meeting…
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Energy Catalyst Briefing: Launch and Brokerage Event by Innovate UK KTN - Kenya
Innovate UK and the Global Alliance Africa Project delivered by Innovate UK KTN are hosting an Energy Catalyst Briefing: Launch and Brokerage Event in Kenya on 28 June 2022. With key industry leaders in attendance, this event will provide ambitious organisations a chance to learn more about the Energy Catalyst and identify/match with potential partners from bioenergy, storage, solar PV, wind, heating and cooling, clean cooking, smart grids, and novel payment systems.
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08/03/2022
Growing the South African economy: The case for investing in innovation
South Africa needs to fast track economic growth to reduce poverty and inequality. To create this economic growth, South Africa will need to embrace innovation, says Dr Nee-Joo Teh, Project Director of KTN Global Alliance Africa.
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17/06/2022
Global Alliance Africa to host in-country Energy Catalyst Event Series
In line with its mandate to provide efficient energy solutions to Africa’s myriad of energy challenges through the deployment of innovative technology and business models, the Global Alliance Africa Project, delivered by Innovate UK KTN, will host an informative Energy Catalyst briefing and brokerage event series in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and online.