RIO 5 - World Climate & Energy Event, 15-17 February 2005, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Implementation of a Local initiated Rural electrification Project in Northern Senegal Dipl.-Ing. Abdoulaye Ba CEO Eco_Watt_Energy Sarl Centre Commercial Elisabeth Diouf HLM V, B.P. 1815 Dakar, Senegal Tel. : +49-174 79 24 353 e-mail: Ablaye.Ba@gmx.net Brief Country Profile : Sénégal Background: Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Since 1980s, the country has faced a conflict in the southern part of the country (Casamance) aimed at independence from Sénégal. The government is currently negotiating a peace agreement with the MFDC ( Mouvement des Forces démocratiques de casamance). Land area ( km²) : 193 thousand sq km Location : Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conackry und Mauritania Capital city : Dakar Languages : French (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Madinka, Serere National population: 9.9 million Population growth : 3% ( annually) GNI per capita : 565 GDP- growth rate : + 6,3 % (2003) Inflation rate (2003) : 0.0 % ( +1.5% July 2004) Sources: Commission de l UEMOA, Octobre 2004) 213
Implementation of a Local initiated Rural electrification Project in Northern Senegal Abstract This document describes the aims and the progress of the implementation of a local initiated rural electrification project (E.R.I.L) in northern Sénégal which is based on Photovoltaic systems. Aims of the project The project s purpose is to increase the rate of successfully used Photovoltaic systems in rural areas and to set an example in West Africa. This can be achieved on the basis of solar parks: PV-Hybrid and Mini-Grid and with solar home systems. Situation The national electricity coverage in Senegal is insufficient, particularly in the rural areas. The rural electrification rate is presently at an average of 8%. Out of 14.000 villages only 700 have access to electricity. Because of the high costs of development, the connection to houses in remote areas is very complex and due to that insufficient. More than 90% of the produced power is covered by using imported oil. Despite a good solar radiation offer, solar energy - so far - hardly plays a role. Political framework Senegal can be seen as a politically stabile African country with high security of investment. In the past, the continuous supply with electricity was handled by the national electricity company, SENELEC. The new framework for rural electrification is fundamentally defined by the law N 98-29 passed on the 14th of April in 1998. The reform of the electricity sector included the creation of creation of ASER (Agence Sénégalaise d'electrification Rurale) and a commission of regulation in the electrical sector (C.R.S.E.). The privatization of the electricity company (SENELEC: 51% VIVENDI - a French enterprise) is on the agenda but up to now this has not been completely carried out. ASER is an autonomous unit in service at the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics, which is responsible for promoting rural electrification through a support of national initiatives. Its ambition is to develop electrification programmes based on a plan of electrification adopted by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics. The new ASER s strategy is based on these three following main assignments: to increase activities of the private sector concerning rural electrification as part of a public private partnership to allocate concessions for the rural electrification based on the rural electrification priority program (PPER) to the private sector In addition to the rural electrification Priority Programs (PPER), ASER also offers conceptual and financial support to rural electrification projects of local initiatives (ERIL Project). 214
RIO 5 - World Climate & Energy Event, 15-17 February 2005, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Government s Intension - short term: ASER should improve rate of rural electrification rate from 8% (2002) to 15% (2005), which is equivalent to 71.000 rural households getting access to electricity. - long term: the Senegalese Plan of Action on Rural Electrification (PASER), imposes on ASER the obligation to ensure access to electricity for at least 30% of the rural population by 2015. That would cover 270.000 rural households. So far ASER has identified 18 areas of concessions for rural electrification in Senegal (CER). With few exceptions these areas cover the region of one or two districts (see map). E.R.I.L Project in the area of Fouta: The implementation of the this project is covered by an E.R.I.L - concession agreement between ASER and Eco_watt_energy, SARL. The project produced a standardized PV Field, together with Diesel generator and an off-grid electricity distribution mains. The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the development of renewable sources of energy. The project will lead o improved access to, and efficient use of, domestic energy for many rural communities. The Mark research proved a significant demand for electricity. The village community owns the scheme and has been involved from the Beginning. The community contracted Eco_Watt_Energy, Sarl (local enterprise) to be responsible for management, administration, billing, operation and maintenance. Eco_watt_energy, SARL: Eco_watt_energy, SARL is a limited company operating under Senegalese law. The company is covering technologies in the area of renewable energies as wind, solar and bio-gas. At the moment the main activity relate to the rural electrification based on photovoltaics. Co-operating partners: Senegal: 1. Saving and Credit Company of the Emigrants specialized in micro-financing 2. Federation of Associations supporting the participative approach 3. German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) promotion of sustainable rural electrification Europe: Wagner & Co Solartechnik GmbH/ Germany: Company specialized in production, marketing and implementation of services for the photovoltaic and solarthermics, as well as in the processing of rainwater. 215
Implementation of a Local initiated Rural electrification Project in Northern Senegal History of Project 1.- 3.Quarter 2001 Contacts with cooperating partners and coordination 4. Quarter 2001 Official approval of ASER 1. -3. Quarter 2002 Presentation of the program to stakeholders 3. Quarter 2002 Signing of agreement with cooperating partners 1. Quarter 2003 Contact with GTZ 2. Quarter 2003 Information campaign in the respective villages 3. Quarter 2003 Socio-economic study until 4. Quarter 2004 Technical-financial study 1. Quarter 2005 Approval by ASER 2. Quarter 2005 Realization of Pilot project Obstacles: very bureaucratic procedures communication process often delayed lack of communication between cooperating institutions and authorities Expectations: Recent version of guidelines for the implementation of an ERIL project Eligibility of an ERIL project to the subsidies of ASER Change of law concerning the equipment of networks Mechanisms to support renewable energies are missing : Indifference of the assigned technologies Conclusion My hope is that, this project will be a part of the global environmental objective to mitigate carbon emissions. 216
RIO 5 - World Climate & Energy Event, 15-17 February 2005, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil E.R.I.L Project in the area of Fouta Subdivision of areas of concessions 217
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