Page 13 - AfrElec Week 02 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

funding for off-grid project BioTherm Energy’s 120GW Golden Valley Zambia, EU sign EUR33mn
Wind Energy Facility has recently connected
in DRC to South Africa’s national grid, representing grant to enhance access to
the latest project to come online as part of
Gridworks, which is developing the “Essor the Renewable Energy Independent Power renewable energy
A2E” solar project with the Eranove group Producer Procurement (REIPPP) program.
and the AEE (Association of Energy The facility consists of 48 Goldwind Zambia and the European Union (EU) on
Engineers) is seeking capital for its launch. turbines generating 2.5MW. Connected to Thursday signed a EUR33mn grant aimed at
The project will enable the electrification of the grid through an on-site substation and a enhancing access to renewable energy in the
vulnerable populations in the Democratic dedicated 132kV power line connecting to the southern African nation.
Republic of Congo (DRC) via solar off-grid. Kopleegte substation, the plant is expected The grant was under the Increased
The development and investment platform to produce more than 447GW hours of Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy
hopes to mobilise $35 million in capital grants electricity per year. Moreover, the facility has Production Project which targets to electrify
from international development finance achieved one million hours without a lost about 4 million people in rural areas.
institutions (DFIs). time incident and was constructed by a team Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said
The “Essor A2E” project of the government comprising 98% South African employees. after the signing ceremony that the grant
of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “We are pleased to announce the successful was a sign of private sector confidence in
is progressing. Gridworks, one of the three commissioning of all 48 wind turbine government’s development agenda and that
companies selected in November 2020 for generators as the year drew to an end and we the project caters to the rural population as
its implementation, is calling for investment prepare to have our portfolio in operations in part of poverty reduction efforts.
from international development finance the next quarter,” stated Robert Skjodt, CEO According to him, the government targets
institutions (DFIs). The development and of BioTherm Energy. to have 91 percent in urban areas and 51
investment platform wants to mobilise The launch of the facility – which was percent in rural areas by the year 2031.
$35 million in capital grants. These funds developed under the fourth tender window EU Ambassador to Zambia Jacek
should enable the “Essor A2E” project that of the REIPPP – comes ahead of expected Jankowski said massive investments in
Gridworks is developing in partnership with commercial operations scheduled for 2021. renewable energy was key to achieving the
the pan-African group Eranove and the AEE target of bringing electricity to rural areas.
(Association of Energy Engineers) to get off The EU envoy said the organization
the ground. was convinced that rural electrification
The 35 million dollars required by the RENEWABLES was vital for Zambia’s social and economic
Gridworks company based in London in the development.
United Kingdom, will enable the first phase of
the “Essor A2E” project to be launched, which
includes the installation of the hybrid solar
power plants of Bumba, Isiro and Gemena in
the DRC. The plants will have a capacity of
between 3 and 10 MW and will be supported
by diesel generators.
The first phase of the Essor A2E initiative
will be followed by a second phase that will
replicate the “proven system for increasing
investment in the sector (off-grid)”. The
African Development Bank (AfDB) which
is supporting the project estimates that
the first phase of Essor A2E will electrify
21,200 households, 2,100 small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) and public buildings.
The full implementation of the “Essor
A2E” project will require an investment of 100
million dollars. The remaining $65 million
will be equity contributions from Gridworks,
Eranove and AEE; as well as bank loans.

WIND
South Africa’s Golden Valley

wind farm connects to

national grid

Week 02 14•January•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P13