Barrett Raftery

Artist, Engineer, Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Philanthropist, Social entrepreneur, Technologist, World traveler

Barrett Raftery is a seasoned renewable energy professional and social entrepreneur committed to advancing sustainable development through innovative energy solutions. As Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at GivePower, he plays a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s impact by fostering collaborations that bring clean energy and water access to underserved communities worldwide. Barrett's journey into the renewable energy sector began in 2008 when he spearheaded a solar project at a school in Kenya. This initiative not only illuminated classrooms but also ignited his passion for leveraging renewable energy to address global challenges. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles in organizations such as GivePower, Gham Power, Energy Access Solutions LLC, and One Million Lights, focusing on solar impact projects, strategic partnerships, grant acquisition, and sustainable business models for renewable energy distribution. Since joining GivePower in 2016, Barrett has been instrumental in the development and deployment of the Solar Water Farm program, a modular, solar-powered water desalination system designed to provide clean drinking water to communities lacking access. Under his leadership, GivePower has launched 14 Solar Water Farms in Kenya and has expanded its reach to other regions such as Haiti. In his current role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Barrett continues to drive the organization's mission by cultivating partnerships with governments, NGOs, and private sector entities. These collaborations are essential for scaling GivePower’s initiatives and ensuring the sustainability of its projects. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and another Bachelor of Arts in Business/Managerial Economics from the University of British Columbia. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his work in project management, strategy development, and financial sustainability within the renewable energy sector. Beyond his professional endeavors, Barrett is an avid environmentalist with a deep commitment to sustainable practices. He is also known for his personal connection to Kenya, where he resides and continues to lead GivePower's initiatives. In his personal life, Barrett is married to Kenyan media personality Anita Nderu, they have 1 child together. With over two decades of experience in the renewable energy sector, Barrett Raftery remains dedicated to creating lasting impact through clean energy solutions. His work continues to inspire and lead efforts that empower communities, improve health and education outcomes, and contribute to the global transition toward sustainable energy.

Family, music and medicine.

Africa stands at a crossroads—home to immense natural resources, a fast-growing population, and a rising entrepreneurial spirit, yet still constrained by critical infrastructure gaps in energy and clean water. Over 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to reliable electricity, and more than 400 million live without basic access to safe drinking water. Centralized infrastructure solutions have failed to scale equitably or rapidly enough, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. To address these challenges and unlock the continent’s full potential, distributed energy and water systems offer a transformative path forward. Distributed infrastructure—characterized by small-scale, decentralized systems such as microgrids, solar-powered water treatment units, and modular clean energy installations—delivers scalable, resilient, and cost-effective solutions where traditional infrastructure cannot reach. These systems not only bridge critical service gaps but also empower local communities, foster economic growth, and build resilience in the face of climate change and population pressures. Traditional power grids are expensive, slow to deploy, and often fail to reach the last mile. In contrast, distributed renewable energy systems, particularly solar microgrids and standalone systems, are modular, rapidly deployable, and increasingly affordable. Prices for solar panels and batteries have dropped dramatically in the past decade, enabling low-income and off-grid communities to leapfrog directly into clean, modern energy. These systems offer: -Energy reliability: Power outages and brownouts are frequent across many African countries. Distributed systems provide stable, localized energy that is less vulnerable to transmission failures. -Rapid deployment: A village-scale solar microgrid can be installed in weeks, compared to years for grid extension. -Economic empowerment: Energy access powers small businesses, agricultural processing, education, and healthcare. It is the cornerstone of community development. -Climate resilience: Distributed solar is emissions-free and reduces reliance on diesel generators, mitigating carbon footprints and improving air quality. The International Energy Agency estimates that decentralized solutions will be the most cost-effective way to deliver electricity to over 60% of the people who will gain access in sub-Saharan Africa. Parallel to energy poverty is the pervasive water crisis. In many parts of Africa, access to safe drinking water is unreliable, unsafe, or non-existent. Climate change is exacerbating droughts, water contamination, and stress on already fragile water systems. Centralized water treatment plants often fail to serve rural populations due to distance, infrastructure decay, or inconsistent power supply. Distributed water treatment systems, especially solar-powered desalination and purification technologies, offer a compelling alternative. Innovations such as solar water farms, atmospheric water generators, and decentralized reverse osmosis systems can bring clean water to the most underserved areas, transforming health, hygiene, and livelihoods. These systems provide: -Local access to clean water where centralized systems can’t reach. -Health improvements through reduced waterborne diseases and better hygiene. -Gender equity gains as women and girls—often responsible for water collection—reclaim time for education and economic activities. -Revenue-generating models through water kiosks and community-based enterprises. Investing in distributed energy and water infrastructure is not just a humanitarian act—it is an economic catalyst. Studies show that for every \$1 invested in energy access, the broader economy can see up to \$4 in returns. Clean water access similarly improves productivity, school attendance, and healthcare outcomes. The distributed model also: -Creates local jobs in installation, maintenance, and sales. -Stimulates entrepreneurship by enabling cold storage, irrigation, digital connectivity, and small-scale manufacturing. -Builds community ownership and reduces reliance on top-down aid. =Aligns with climate goals, providing sustainable, low-emission solutions at scale. Today’s distributed systems are not only viable—they are scalable. Innovations in mobile money, smart meters, remote monitoring, and pay-as-you-go platforms have unlocked new business models that enable rapid expansion and financial sustainability. Public-private partnerships, blended finance, and catalytic philanthropy can accelerate deployment across the continent. With the right support, distributed infrastructure can serve as a foundational layer for Africa’s next chapter of inclusive, resilient development. We are at a pivotal moment. With the confluence of technology, innovation, and a growing urgency to address climate, health, and equity challenges, the time to act is now.

International Development, Non-Profit Leadership, Solar Energy, Water Desalination

I found out about this through the amazing community of people that live in Nairobi. I am excited to host a session about water during the Countdown in Kenya.

Snowboarding, Capoeira