YemisiIzuora
The UK Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, has announced new funding so that more people and companies across Africa would have access to affordable, clean energy.
This new funding will see £30 million ($34 million) added to the Transforming Energy Access programme, taking total UK investment to £100 million, and allowing it to continue until 2024.
The funding will help fund technologies such as mini-grids, and solar and bioenergy initiatives.
This aid, in partnership with the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme, will increase the numbers of green mini-grids in African countries. It will also ensure that mini-grids are embedded into the wider energy network.
The announcement follows the UK’s Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry announcement of £100 million funding to support up to 40 renewable energy products in sub-Saharan Africa at COP24 in Poland in December.
Since 2011, UK climate finance has helped provide 17 million people with improved access to clean energy.
Baldwin commented: “Transforming Energy Access is using the UK’s expertise in technology and finance to provide power for people across Africa and tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges, climate change.
“The UK government’s investment in clean energy and waste reduction for people and businesses will help millions of people across Africa. It’s a win for the developing world and a win for the UK.”