ECREEE commences implementation of the UNIDO-GEF 5 Project in The Gambia

The preparatory phase of the UNIDO GEF 5 on “Greening the productive sectors in The Gambia: Promoting the use and integration of small to medium scale renewable energy systems in the productive sectors” begins with a 5-day scoping mission led by the project team, comprised of two ECREEE renewable energy experts, a UNIDO international expert and the GEF project national expert, to the Gambia, from 21 – 25 April, 2014.

The primary objective of this mission is to meet with the relevant stakeholders in the country, introduce the project, its objectives and activities to the stakeholders; sensitize the financial sector on RE & EE projects and their involvement; document stakeholders’ needs and expectations; develop a road map for the project preparation phase.

In the coming months, it is expected that the work implemented by the project team will produce the following:

• detailed analysis of the energy situation in the Gambia, existing legal and regulatory frameworks, relevant institutions and capacity gaps;
• mobilization of stakeholders’ support for the project;
• selection of pilot projects, feasibility plans and an Investment portfolio;
• full UNIDO- GEF5 project document for The Gambia

The GEF 5 is  a follow-up to the ongoing GEF4 project on "Promoting Renewable Energy Based Mini Grids for Productive Uses in Rural Areas in the Gambia", which, through the support of the EUEI-PDF, resulted in the development of a Renewable Energy Law. Further to this, the ongoing capacity building activities for all key stakeholders including the Gambia Renewable Energy Centre (GREC) has been one of the significant outputs from the UNIDO GEF 4 project in the Gambia. The new GEF project will therefore build on the success of the GEF 4 project by focusing on promoting small to medium scale renewable energy technologies in the productive sectors.

Specifically, the GEF 5 project will achieve the following:

·                     Component 1:Development of strategy and regulation on the integration of small-to-medium scale RE systems– the project will lead to the development of a National strategy, with targets, and regulation on the use and integration of renewable energy systems in the productive sectors. In addition, performance standards, permitting procedures and regulation on grid-connected renewable energy systems will be developed. It is expected that this component will lead to the establishment of a conducive regulatory environment for the integration of renewable energy systems.

·                     Component 2: Demonstrating technical feasibility and promoting investments. Under this component, three demonstration projects, based on solar and wind, with a total capacity of 0.4 MW will be installed and a portfolio of viable small to medium scale investment projects will be developed. In total, investments projects with a total capacity of 0.8 MW will be realised.  It is envisaged that through this the feasibility of small to medium scale projects for the productive sectors will be demonstrated. Secondly Investments in small to medium scale renewable energy systems will be promoted.

·                     Component 3: Renewable energy projects entrepreneurship skills development. Renewable energy project based entrepreneurship training modules for youths will be developed and a series of trainings will be conducted. Training on small to medium scale RE systems will be integrated into the curriculum of youth organisations.

At a regional level, the project will actively link with the activities of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in areas of capacity building, demonstration projects and strategy development.

The total project cost is US$ 4,374,435, with a GEF Project grant of US$ 1,319,635. The difference is to be mobilized as co-financing from partners. The project will be implemented over a period of 30 months.

For more information please download the concept note and programme, or contact Mr Bah Saho at bsaho@ecreee.org