Mali solar rural electrification project will develop 50 solar minigrids in its first approved stage

The Green Climate Fund board approved the Mali solar rural electrification project at its 22nd meeting in February 2019. The project is expected to provide funding to solar-based mini-grids for rural electrification, with a total investment of EUR 46.2 million of which EUR 33.64 million in high concessional sovereign loan and EUR 2 million grant for technical assistance. GCF funding will additionally mobilise EUR 10.6 million from the West African Development Bank (BOAD). The first approved stage of the project will deliver access to clean energy to 50 localities in Mali, reaching 28,300 households.

New spatial layer on Clean Energy Mini-grids available on the ECOWREX Spatial Data Infrastracture

The ECOWREX Spatial Data Infrastracture counts now with a new spatial layer which contains the operational Clean Energy Mini-grids in the ECOWAS region.

New solar mini-grid plants operational in Liberia

In June 2017, five remote communities in Lofa receive a solar power plant and mini-grids as part of the project Light Up Our Futures, funded by EU and implemented by PLAN International and VOSIEDA, with technical support of GIZ/EnDev.

UNIDO report on Renewable Energy-based mini-grids

Despite the considerable potential for an accelerated use of renewable energy-based mini-grids, opportunities for income generation and social and environmental benefits, progress continues to be hampered by a number of key barriers and bottlenecks. Many countries still lack sufficient technical capacities to install, operate and maintain the systems, the regulatory framework to attract project developers, and access to financing to bring sufficient scale. UNIDO’s access to energy projects aim to address these issues, yet the evidence suggests that there is no unique business model that can easily and universally be replicated and scaled-up. This report takes stock of the current experience, and draws interim conclusions on the lessons learnt, and provides guiding recommendations for designing energy access projects.

ADFD and IRENA Announce Funding by ADFD of USD 44.5 million in Four Developing Countries including Niger

Four renewable energy projects in developing countries (Marshall Islands, Niger, Seychelles and Solomon Islands) have been identified by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to receive USD 44.5 million in funding. ADFD’s funding will support a diverse set of projects including a hybrid micro-grid project employing solar PV and advanced lithium-ion batteries, a hydropower project, integrated wind and solar, and a combination project consisting of micro-grid and solar home kits. The announcement of this fourth round of funding by the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility was made on January 14th at the Seventh Session of the IRENA Assembly.

Regional progress report on renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access in the ECOWAS region - Monitoring year 2017

Rapport de Progrès Régionaux sur les Énergies Renouvelables, l'Efficacité Énergétique et l'Accès à l'Énergie dans la région de la CEDEAO

From Vision to Coordinated Action - Consolidation of SE4ALL Action Agendas, National Renewable Energy Action Plans, and National Energy Efficiency Action Plans of the ECOWAS region countries

Renewable energy-based mini-grids: The UNIDO experience