Beyond those already covered by the grid extensions mentioned above, NIGELEC is also currently considering extending the grid to reach the community-level mini-grids, and connecting these to the grid. Further projects are currently focusing on increasing the number of households reached close to the major transmission and distribution lines; i.e. branching off the artery lines into substations and small distribution lines. For many of these projects, the government and NIGELEC are receiving considerable support – both financial and technical – from international development banks and agencies. Some of the most notable projects to increase rural energy access include: “Programme special d’electrification du President de la Republique”. This government program was launched in 2011, with the goal of electrifying 500 villages by 2016, i.e. to an additional 100 villages each year, with these typically being situated within 5 km of the current grid infrastructure. The goal of reaching 100 villages per year will increase to 200 villages per year from 2017 onwards. In December 2015, the World Bank approved Electricity Access Expansion Project (NELACEP). an IDA credit of US $54.5 million and a grant of US $10.5 million to increase energy access in Niger. The funding will be used to finance NIGELEC investments in distribution, with a focus on increasing grid density, through short leader line extensions, in seven major urban areas, including Niamey; the project is expected to benefit around 330,000 people, including households, small business, and public institutions. AFD program to expand electricity access in Niamey. This program is run by the French Development Agency (AFD) and aims to extend urban electricity distribution, with a focus on providing electricity in several currently off-grid peri-urban neighborhoods of Niamey. An additional AFD program focused on rural grid extension is currently in planning. In addition, the new Electricity Act called for the establishment of further authorities to promote rural electrification and regulate the energy sector. This led to the creation of the National Agency for the Promotion of Electrification in Rural Areas (ANPER) in January 2015, whose main mandate is to extend electricity access into rural areas of Niger.
Beyond those already covered by the grid extensions mentioned above, NIGELEC is also currently considering extending the grid to reach the community-level mini-grids, and connecting these to the grid. Further projects are currently focusing on increasing the number of households reached close to the major transmission and distribution lines; i.e. branching off the artery lines into substations and small distribution lines. For many of these projects, the government and NIGELEC are receiving considerable support – both financial and technical – from international development banks and agencies. Some of the most notable projects to increase rural energy access include: “Programme special d’electrification du President de la Republique”. This government program was launched in 2011, with the goal of electrifying 500 villages by 2016, i.e. to an additional 100 villages each year, with these typically being situated within 5 km of the current grid infrastructure. The goal of reaching 100 villages per year will increase to 200 villages per year from 2017 onwards. Electricity Access Expansion Project (NELACEP). In December 2015, the World Bank approved an IDA credit of US $54.5 million and a grant of US $10.5 million to increase energy access in Niger. The funding will be used to finance NIGELEC investments in distribution, with a focus on increasing grid density, through short leader line extensions, in seven major urban areas, including Niamey; the project is expected to benefit around 330,000 people, including households, small business, and public institutions. AFD program to expand electricity access in Niamey. This program is run by the French Development Agency (AFD) and aims to extend urban electricity distribution, with a focus on providing electricity in several currently off-grid peri-urban neighborhoods of Niamey. An additional AFD program focused on rural grid extension is currently in planning. In addition, the new Electricity Act called for the establishment of further authorities to promote rural electrification and regulate the energy sector. This led to the creation of the National Agency for the Promotion of Electrification in Rural Areas (ANPER) in January 2015, whose main mandate is to extend electricity access into rural areas of Niger.
Niger-Off-grid-solar-market-assessment.docx