ALER signs contract with AfDB to coordinate AMAP project activities in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau

In March, ALER signed a contract with the African Development Bank (AfDB)/Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to implement the Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (AMAP) in four Portuguese-speaking African countries, namely Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.

Africa is on the brink of a significant change in how it gets its power, with the green mini-grid sector poised to address the critical electricity access challenge for millions. As it stands, the deployment of distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions, mainly green mini-grids (GMGs), is essential to bridging the vast energy access gap. Despite the promising landscape, the sector navigates a complex matrix of financial, policy, and technological challenges that hinder its expansion. The current scenario reveals a significant gap between the installed capacity and the growing demand, underscoring the necessity for a monumental increase in green mini-grids to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. This backdrop sets the stage for initiatives like AMAP, designed to catalyze the growth of green mini-grids across Africa by fostering a conducive investment climate, driving socio-economic development, and accelerating the transition towards sustainable and resilient energy systems.

AMAP, a technical assistance program funded and implemented by the AfDB and SEFA, aims to create a reliable investment environment for Green Mini-Grids (GMGs) in Africa, develop GMG projects, and improve access to AfDB's funding. Despite facing many challenges, AMAP is utilizing its expertise and resources to overcome these obstacles and encourage more private investment.

The initiative is set to revolutionize energy access with 880,000 new connections, delivering electricity to over 4 million people and spearheading the installation of over 80 MW of renewable energy. AMAP is not just lighting up communities but is also a powerhouse for socio-economic upliftment, aiming to create 7,200 full-time jobs and ensure gender inclusivity by empowering 1,800 women. Committed to sustainability, it targets over 6.5 million tCO2eq in GHG emission reductions and is expected to facilitate USD 650 million in public and private sustainable energy investments, marking a significant stride towards an environmentally conscious and empowered African future.

Lasting 18 months, the project will be carried out by a consortium led by ALER and formed by national representatives, including the Mozambican Renewable Energy Association (AMER) and the Angolan Renewable Energy Association (ASAER), and specialists in the legal and tariff area. As consortium leader, ALER will be responsible for managing the project, coordinating all the activities, and reviewing and quality-controlling all the results.

ALER and its consortium partners' in-depth knowledge of the renewable energy sector in general and, in particular, of green mini-grids in each of the countries covered will be an asset for the successful implementation of this project, with a very significant impact expected in each country.

The regional dimension of this project is in line with ALER's Strategic Plan and Action Plan for 2024, reinforcing its position as a promoter of joint activities and Lusophone experiences exchange, always supporting the dynamization of the National Associations in each country.