By Uthman Salami
The African Deve lopment Bank (AfDB) through its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) unit has announced the approval of a $1 million grant for the modernisation of Africa’s hydropower fleet.
According to the Bank, the modernisation of hydropower stations is an opportunity to increase generation capacity at a low cost, with relatively short lead times and minimal environmental impact.
The grant will help the mapping as well as evaluation of African hydropower facilities’ rehabilitation needs.
This will also support the preparation of modernisation works for two pilot facilities to a bankable stage, a move expected to add 200MW in generation capacity, create 150 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 300 kilotons of CO2 annually.
Modern hydropower plays a key role in Africa’s energy transition, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and anchoring larger shares of variable renewable energy sources.
Dr Daniel Schroth, Acting Director for renewable energy and energy efficiency at the African Development Bank, said: “This transformative programme under SEFA’s Green Baseload component will specifically capitalise on the significant market opportunity for rehabilitation of Africa’s existing hydropower plants.”
The programme will be implemented in partnership with the International Hydropower Association, IHA, which has participated in similar initiatives in Asia and South America.
Alex Campbell, IHA’s head of research and policy, said, “We are delighted to support the African Development Bank in this important and urgent project to modernise Africa’s hydropower fleet.”
The African Development Bank manages SEFA and the project is fully aligned with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aims to provide universal access to energy for Africans and prioritises low-carbon technologies that harness the continent’s hydro, solar, geothermal and wind resources.