Impact Makers: Basima Abdulrahman

Pioneering renewable energy solutions in Iraq By Climate Champions | November 4, 2024

NAME

Basima Abdulrahman

TITLE

Founder & CEO, KESK

LOCATION

Erbil, Iraq

ABOUT

Basima Abdulrahman is the founder and CEO of KESK, a green tech company offering renewable energy solutions for businesses based in Erbil, Iraq. KESK combines solar energy installation with advanced software technologies and a carbon credit marketplace, helping clients transition to renewable energy while monetizing their carbon offsets.

MOTIVATIONS

“In August 2014, when ISIS occupied major cities in Iraq, I was still finishing my graduate degree in the U.S. It was a devastating time, with violence threatening my country’s stability. That night, unable to sleep, I worried deeply for my family and the future of Iraq. I also felt the weight of being associated with such turmoil.

That night marked a turning point for me, and I vowed to return to Iraq to create something positive — a way to help heal some of the damage that had been done. Starting a sustainable business amid political tension, economic crisis, and a focus on military operations was challenging, but I believed it could bring real, lasting benefits to the region. Despite early obstacles, we pressed forward, driven by a commitment to make an impact. Sustainable green solutions are essential for our future, and they must be trustworthy, accessible, and economically viable.”

IMPACTS

Before

KESK came at a time when businesses and industries in Iraq faced several critical challenges:

• The country’s power plants produced around 24,000 MW, which is far less than the estimated 34,000 MW needed to cover domestic demand.
• Most businesses had to rely on costly and polluting diesel generators, which provided only 10% of the total energy needs. This reliance cost them up to $0.45/KWh, contributing to high operational costs.
• Iraq’s infrastructure made it difficult for businesses to adopt renewable energy solutions, leaving them stuck with inefficient and unsustainable energy sources.
• Many businesses struggled to track and achieve sustainability targets, such as reducing carbon emissions, and had no means of monetizing their carbon offset.
• Without solar energy solutions, companies were unable to optimize their energy consumption or lower their carbon footprint effectively.

After

Since KESK’s launch in 2020, the company has made significant headway:

• KESK’s solar PV solutions have helped over 100 businesses transition from diesel generators to solar energy, drastically reducing operational energy costs and increasing efficiency.
• KESK’s solar installations now generate over 3000 kWp annually, removing approximately 4000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere, equivalent to planting 150,000 mature trees every year.
• Businesses using KESK’s solar PV systems have reported substantial cost savings, with solar energy costing between $0.017 and $0.05/KWh, compared to diesel’s $0.45/KWh.

CHALLENGES

While KESK has seen great success, the journey has not been without obstacles:

• As a female business owner in Iraq, Basima faces additional hurdles in earning clients’ trust and securing projects. For example, during negotiations for major projects, she often has to involve male staff in discussions to mitigate the risk of losing business due to cultural biases.
• Despite political and cultural challenges, Basima has maintained optimism, guiding her team through strategic planning, sales efforts, and geographic diversification to regain footing after setbacks.

GOALS

“Our vision for the future of KESK is rooted in expanding our presence across Iraq and establishing ourselves as a leader in sustainable energy solutions. We’re building a comprehensive green energy platform, a Full-Fledged Solution, that combines solar hardware and software, enabling us to provide both energy solutions and data insights to our clients. As part of our roadmap, we aim to expand our offerings by leveraging our software (SaaS) platform to enable innovative business models such as solar asset leasing, “Energy as a Service,” and financing programmes. By integrating advanced remote control features and online payment capabilities, our platform provides flexibility and accessibility to clients, especially those who may not have the capital for full upfront investment in solar infrastructure.

Another key aspect of our strategy is the development of a carbon credit marketplace. By enabling businesses to track and monetize their carbon reductions, we’re helping them not only meet their sustainability targets but also potentially generate new revenue streams. This marketplace will be essential as green policies take hold across the Middle East, and we plan to position KESK at the forefront of this shift, providing tools that empower businesses to play an active role in the region’s sustainability goals.”

BASIMA’S ADVICE

“If you feel that deep passion in your heart, embrace it fully! Take things one step at a time, focusing on what’s achievable right now, while keeping your vision big and future-focused. Seek out those who believe in you and your mission, rather than spending energy on convincing the sceptics. And remember to take care of yourself—nurturing your mental and physical wellbeing is key to sustaining your journey.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

KESK is transforming the renewable energy sector in Iraq by providing solar solutions that empower businesses to reduce their environmental impact and energy costs. Here’s how you can support:

KESK platform is expanding to integrate the carbon marketplace for clients to capitalize on the carbon credit market, and help achieve a faster return on investment. Basima says, “By partnering with KESK, you help improve Iraq’s energy stability by addressing the 10,000 MW power deficit, support the country’s green energy transition, and gain significant cost savings as well as potential revenue through our carbon marketplace.”

CONTACT 

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter

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