- The AfDB will provide $1m to modernise the continent’s hydropower plants.
- Hydropower plants’ modernisation presents an opportunity to increase capacity at a low cost.
- The funds will also finance preparatory works on two pilot facilities.
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB), via its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), has approved a $1 million grant to modernise the continent’s hydropower plants. The grant will finance the mapping and evaluation of hydropower facilities’ rehabilitation requirements. The funds will also be used for preparatory modernisation works for two pilot facilities. These works are expected to add 200MW in generation capacity.
The AfDB believes that the modernisation of hydropower plants presents an environmentally friendly opportunity to increase power generation capacity at a low cost. The bank’s acting director for renewable energy and energy efficiency, Dr Daniel Schroth, stated: “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 AfDB will implement the programme alongside the International Hydropower Association (IHA), which has supported similar initiatives in Asia and South America. Alex Campbell, IHA’s head of research and policy, stated: “We are delighted to support the African Development Bank in this important and urgent project to modernise Africa’s hydropower fleet.