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Friday, 8 January

Dear <<First Name>>

Mini-grids’ potential to disrupt incumbent energy systems and bring energy access to off-grid communities across the world cannot be overstated. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that in Africa alone the technology will be the least costly method to connect at least 264 million people by 2030.

But despite mini-grids being ready for scale, they are not attracting the necessary finance to realise their potential.

The news, then, that Senegal has launched a tender for the construction of 133 mini-grids is another positive sign that things are continuing to shift in the right direction. (Contractors note, the deadline for submissions is 19 January.)

As the investment manager of the UK government-funded REPP, we have been actively working to overcome barriers to finance and crowd in funding to the sector, and have enjoyed success in projects such as ARC Power in Rwanda, Powerhive in Kenya, and GVE in Nigeria. 

And in December last year, CrossBoundary Energy Access open sourced the investment approach to mini-grids that it developed with its partners, including REPP, to catalyse growth in the sector.

The question is not about whether mini-grids will scale, but when. Could 2021 finally be the year to see that happen?

Cheers

Geoff

Story of the week

Enel has teamed up with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to develop new renewable energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. As a first step, the QIA will buy half of Enel's stake in 800MW of its existing renewable capacity in South Africa and Zambia.

West Africa

Gambia: National utility seeking consultants to improve water management with renewables (PV-Magazine)
- National Water and Electricity Co. wants to investigate the possibility of using solar to improve energy efficiency.

Nigeria: Local media told to withdraw false reports about tariffs increases (ESI)
- NERC issues a statement stating the 50% increase in electricity tariffs is false.

Senegal: Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency launches tender for 133 solar mini-grids (PV-Magazine)
- Tender aims to bring power to 177 villages in the east of the country.

Southern Africa

South Africa: IFC provides USD200 million loan to Nedbank to increase renewable energy financing (Engineering News)
- IFC and Nedbank will partner to help the country transition to cleaner forms of power, reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and create jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Zambia/Zimbabwe: Construction of 2.4GW Batoka Gorge dam set to begin (GBA)
- General Electric and Power Construction Corporation of China will undertake construction of the USD4.5 billion project.

East Africa

Ethiopia: Siemens Gamesa to lead the EPC works for 100MW Assela wind farm (ESI)
- Company to supply 29 wind turbines for the project, which aims to be commissioned by 2023 and to power 400,000 homes.

Ethiopia: Tigray conflict could delay Grand Renaissance hydro dam negotiations (ESI)
- Talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have resumed, however, the conflict could cause a delay in confirming a resolution.

Kenya: The Geothermal Development Company secures USD14.5 million grant for Baringo-Silali geothermal project (ThinkGeoEnergy)
- Geothermal Risk Mitigation Fund (GRMF) has provided the grant for the implementation of the drilling and testing program and infrastructural upgrade at the Paka element of the project.

Africa - general

General: Recently established ESCOTEL to provide energy services to mobile tower owners and operators (ESI)
- USD35 million investment by Evolution II Fund, Norfund and Sagemcom will aim to supply, install, operate and maintain decentralised solar and storage hybrid power systems for a portfolio of around 900 telecom sites.

General: Enel and the Qatar Investment Authority team up to develop renewable energy projects  (Engineering News)
- The Qatar Investment Authority will buy half of Italian utility Enel's stake in 800MW of renewable capacity in South Africa and Zambia.

Currencies

Image source: www.enel.com

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