WASHINGTON, July 30, 2013 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a $US50 million International Development Association (IDA)* credit to support Burkina Faso’s efforts to improvethe reliability electricity supply, increase access to electricity in the country’s fast-growing cities, and spread the use of renewable energy sources in certain rural areas.
“Burkina Faso has made steady strides in developing its electricity capacity and connecting people in cities and rural areas to power,”says Mercy Miyang Tembon,World Bank Country Director for Burkina Faso.“We are happy to continue supporting the government’s efforts to improve its energy security, so that poor people can have increased access to education and jobs, and benefit more from economic growth.”
Today’s credit will fund the Electricity Sector Support Project and support the government’skey Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development for 2011-2015. The Electricity Sector Support Project includes the construction of twoturnkey power stations of at least 7.5 MW each in FadaN’gourma and Ouahigouya, two remote cities in Burkina Faso with fast-growing economic development.
“With a 14 percent electrification rate and an electricity demand increasing at a rate close to 10% per year, it is necessary for Burkina Faso tocomplements longer term WAPP regional programs, by providing generation and securing energy supply in two cities with fast growing economic development and by increasing access in rural areas.”saysJamal Saghir, World Bank Director of Sustainable Development for the Africa Region.“The scale-up of energy connections and the construction of new power plants will enhance the security and reliability of electricity supply, improve the country’s overall economic growth and add to the everyday quality of life for thousands of people.”
The funds will also support the expansion of the electric grid and the installation of power connections for about 40 communities through existing and new transmission lines. Additionally, the project will finance investments aimed at promoting rational and efficient use of energyand energy studies to develop its hydropower potential.The project will also support the purchase and distribution of around twenty five thousand (25,000) lanterns for public schools in off-grid communities in the context of the Lighting Africa program.
Moreover, the project includessteps to strengthen the institutional and capacity development of the Société Nationale d'Electricité du Burkina (the country’s National Power Utility), the Fonds de Développement de l’Electrification(Rural Electrification Agency) and the Direction générale de l’énergie (General Directorate of Energy).
“Today’s funds will directly link households, schools, clinics, local administration facilities and recreational centers in these areasto a more reliable power source, some for the first time,”says FatoumaToureIbrahima, World Bank Task Team Leader for the project.
*The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world's poorest countries by providing zero-interest financing and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people's lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world's 82 poorest countries, 40 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 1.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Between 2003 and 2013, IDA provided $256 billion in financing for 3,787 projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, benefiting on average, 36 African countries a year.
