The World Bank has announced a grant of $138 million for the Central African Republic (CAR). This funding is intended for the implementation of an electrification project based on renewable energies, in particular autonomous solar systems.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is receiving $138 million in funding for electrification. The International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank Group, is providing $83 million of the grant funding. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is contributing $30 million. To these two grants, the World Bank is adding “private financing” of $25 million.
This grant is provided as part of the Access and Strengthening of the Electricity Sector Project (PARSE), which aims to increase the rate of access to electricity through investments in production and transmission infrastructure. In the capital Bangui, the Central African government plans to extend the capacity of the Danzi solar photovoltaic power plant from 25 to 40 MWp. This facility, which has officially been under construction since June 2021, will occupy a 10-hectare plot of land 20 km from Bangui, on the road to Boali.
Construction of solar mini-grids
The rehabilitation and reinforcement of the electricity transmission network will enable the connection of at least 20,000 households in Bangui and neighbouring localities. PARSE also includes the installation of off-grid solar systems for households, 300 schools, 300 health centres, 100 administrative buildings and the adaptation of 100 community drinking water supplies (AEP) to solar photovoltaic systems.
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In the towns of Nola, Bouar, Bossembélé and Bangassou, the Central African government plans to build five solar-powered mini-grids. These facilities will have a combined capacity of 10 MW, expected to supply 20,000 people in the four towns. “The PARSE project will consolidate the achievements of the PURCELL (Emergency Electricity Access Project) and PASEEL (Water and Electricity Services Improvement Project) projects by increasing the supply of and access to clean electricity services,” explains Han Fraeters, the World Bank’s Resident Representative in CAR.
Building Enerca’s capacity
The financial institution based in Washington in the United States of America is accompanying its financing with a programme to strengthen the skills of Energie Centrafricaine (ENERCA), the public company responsible for the production, transport and distribution of electricity. The implementation of Parse should thus enable CAR to increase its rate of access to electricity.
According to the World Bank, 85% of the Central African population does not yet have access to electricity, out of an estimated population of nearly 5 million. This situation mainly concerns rural areas where only 0.4% of the population has access to this essential service. A whole programme and substantial funding will be needed to get CAR out of this energy insecurity.
Jean Marie Takouleu
