New US project to boost energy access in sub-Saharan Africa

A new programme to increase energy access in sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya and Nigeria, has been launched by the US Government. The ‘Beyond the Grid’ scheme aims to form […]

A new programme to increase energy access in sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya and Nigeria, has been launched by the US Government.

The ‘Beyond the Grid’ scheme aims to form partnerships with 27 investors and practitioners committing to invest more than $1 billion (£0.6bn) into off-grid and small scale solutions.

It will create an effective environment to increase financial and technical assistance that haven’t been available to small energy businesses.

The project is expected to help President Barack Obama’s Power Africa initiative exceed its commitment to provide electricity to 20 million homes and businesses.

US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said: “With close to 600 million people without access to modern-day electricity, it is clear that centralised grid access is not a comprehensive solution for these countries in one of the world’s least urban continents. But through solutions including off-grid and small scale energy projects, we can bring electricity to these rural areas.”

Power Africa has so far helped close almost 2,800MW worth of projects and secured commitments for another 5,00MW.

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