New EU support to provide access to energy to two million people in Africa
2 Apr 2014 04:15 PM
The European Commission has announced the
results of the first call for proposals of an innovative programme for
providing finance to bring electricity to the world's poorest citizens.
This initiative also shows that the EU has been a leader in the campaign to
provide Sustainable Energy for All.
Grants of €95 million have been awarded for16
projects across nine African countries to provide access to energy in rural
areas, an amount which will be translated into projects costing more than
€155 million (through co-financing support by applicants) and bring
electricity to more than 2 million people.
Commissioner Piebalgs said: “This shows that real
results are being delivered and that the EU is scaling up proven successful
projects which have a high impact on poverty reduction through sustainable
rural electrification. Energy is fundamental for every area of development;
from creating jobs and boosting growth to improving healthcare and enabling
people to cook safely. Yet too often, people in rural areas have been left
behind - a shocking 84% of those without access to energy now live in the
countryside. We need to make sure that our work supports everyone, no matter
where they live."
This is a first step in a new innovative programme to
bring electricity to many millions. Over the next 7 years the Commission aims
to spend more than €2 billion in supporting energy in Africa. This will,
in turn, leverage investments exceeding €10 billion, filling in the gaps
for energy infrastructure and therefore allowing businesses, schools, homes and
hospitals to get the electricity they require.
In
addition, another Call for Proposals targeting rural electrification in fragile
states (such as Burundi, Liberia, Somalia and Mali) is currently under
evaluation and will deliver more benefits in these countries, where the energy
needs are greatest. This will be the next step to ensure that EU's efforts
to provide sustainable energy where it's most needed bear
fruit.
Background
The
funding is the result of a 'Call for Proposals', which is an EU funding
system which enables NGOs, government and private sector organisations to
receive a grant for EU Funding based on their proposal for an innovative
project.
The
countries which will benefit from this initiative are: Madagascar, Burkina
Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Liberia, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Rwanda. The
European Commission will promote another 40 proposals received –but not
selected - to private and public donors and development agencies. Therefore,
the list of countries and the number of rural population benefiting from the
Call results could further increase.
In
addition, infrastructure projects financed through our innovative blending
instruments and the Technical Assistance Facility available for all Sub-Saharan
African countries are already delivering results and contribute to the EU
support for Sustainable Energy for All objectives.
Worldwide, about 1.3 billion people have no access to
electricity. Up to a billion more have access only to unreliable electricity
networks. More than 2.6 billion people rely on solid fuels (i.e. traditional
biomass and coal) for cooking and heating.
A
well-performing energy system that improves efficient access to modern forms of
energy would strengthen the opportunities for the poorest people on the planet
to escape the worst impacts of poverty. Access to energy provides people with
the means to generate income – and that in turn creates wealth and new
markets.
For
more information:
On
the EU’s work on Sustainable Energy for All:
http:/
/ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/energy/sustainable/index_en.htm
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For
more information on Sustainable Energy for All:
www.sustainableenergyforall.
org/about
For
more information on the Africa-EU summit:
http://www.eu
ropean-council.europa.eu/eu-africa-summit-2014