The African Development Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has approved a US$990,000 grant to support the preparation of a 9 MW solar-hydro hybrid project in Burundi. The project consists of two plants, each featuring a solar and a hydro component as well as a local distribution network and interconnection to the national power grid. The hybrid design is anticipated to regularize the power output during the dry and wet season and mitigate power shortfalls caused by climate change.
The SEFA grant will support technical feasibility, environmental and social impact assessment and financial advisory for the project to be developed by Songa Energy.
Upon completion, the project will also electrify about 20,000 households in surrounding communities through a local distribution network.
