East Africa gets Sh200m for power pool

East Africa Power Pool (EAPP) is to diversify its energy sources into renewable in an effort to fast track generation of electrify to serve growing demand across its seven member countries.

The predominantly hydro-energy focused pool has received a Sh200 million grant from the United States Development Agency (USAid) part of which will be used to finance research into renewable energy sources.

EAPP is a special institution under the Common Market for East and Central Africa, (Comesa) responsible for improving access to affordable, clean energy through regional electricity trade and exchange.

One of the biggest renewable energy resources within member countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Sudan is geothermal, that is mined along the vaults of the Rift Valley.

There is also opportunity for methane gas, like that being mined by Rwanda in Lake Kivu, and biomass from municipal waste in the cities which can be used to cover power deficits in the towns and supply low income earners with cheaper electricity.

Exploit energy

USAid said in a statement that it will support EAPP to increase its “capacity to exploit clean and renewable energy resources.”

The money will also be used to harmonise regional policies and regulations for improved cross-border trade; and increase private-sector investment in electricity by addressing specific policy and regulatory barriers.

Candace Buzzard, director of USAid Regional Economic Growth and Integration office, said lack of efficient, clean power impacts everything — whether children have light to do their homework at night, the ability of African businesses to show a profit, and the willingness of international companies to invest in this region.

“There is tremendous will on the part of East African governments now to fix this problem and USAid is seizing this moment and... will help make a major impact on the quality of life in this region,” he said.

The money will be used to support a workshop to improve members’ electricity trading skills and to promote best practices of power pool operation from the United States and Central America.

Tangible results

The two-year grant will also facilitate at least three bilateral electricity trading agreements and develop cross-border protocols for rural electrification.

EAPP executive secretary Jasper Oduor said the support will help to provide “quick, tangible results and promote regional economic growth and investment in necessary energy infrastructure.”

Earlier this year, EAPP secured Sh320 million from the European Union to strengthen the capability of the EAPP permanent secretariat to improve the integration of electricity markets of the region into a regional market.