AfDB, DFID support DRC solar projects
Pan-African industrial platform Eranove Group, the Association of Energy Engineers, and London-based Gridworks are to work together on a project to install solar hybrid systems for the electrification of cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The solar power plants to be installed in the cities of Bumba, Isiro and Gemena will have a capacity of between 3MWp and 10MWp. The project is part of the DR Congolese government’s Essor A2E initiative to support the development of some 30 mini green grid projects over the next five to seven years.
The installation of the solar hybrid plants involved in the first phase of the Essor A2E initiative will require an investment of $100 million. The Eranove group, AEE and Gridworks, which will finance and build the installations, will be supported development partners such as the African Development Bank.
The project is also supported by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). The AfDB has also pledged to provide debt financing and to arrange co-financing from the Green Climate Fund and other development partners.
