Alex Rose-Innes
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) had approved a $1 million grant for modernisation of Africa’s aging hydropower fleet, which at the same time, would reduce 300 kilotons of CO2 per year. Modern hydropower plays a major role in the continent’s energy transition from relying on fossil fuels towards renewables.
The Acting Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, Dr Daniel Schroth, said this transformative programme would specifically address significant market opportunities for rehabilitation of Africa’s existing hydropower plants. At the same time, support modernisation works for two pilot facilities in the Ivory Coast to a bankable stage. This would see an added 200 MW in generation capacity, create 150 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The modernisation of existing hydropower stations is an opportunity to increase generation capacity at low-cost with relatively short lead-times and minimal environmental impact.
The African Development Bank manages SEFA. This project is fully aligned with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aims to provide universal access to energy for Africans and prioritises low-carbon technologies harnessing the continent’s hydro-, solar-, geothermal and wind resources.
The programme is to be implemented in partnership with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) which had successfully participated in similar initiatives across Asia and South America.
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution, comprising of three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) with a presence in 34 African countries. The AfDB contributes to economic development and social progress of its 54 regional (African) member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org.
