On Friday, October 18, 2024, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved an additional US$20 million in financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Haiti Renewable Energy for All Project. This financing aims to increase investments in renewable energy in Haiti and to expand and improve access to electricity for households, businesses, and community services.

The electricity sector is a major constraint to economic development, emergency response, and recovery in Haiti. The sector faces challenges exacerbated by recurring fuel shortages and the weak performance of the national utility company - Electricité d'Haiti (EDH). In 2021, the electricity access rate was estimated at approximately 47.1%.

"Access to energy is a critical element for providing basic services such as health and education, as well as for promoting investment and innovation," said Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, World Bank Country Manager in Haiti. "Using renewable energy can enable Haiti to apply an integrated approach to achieve universal access to energy, particularly in remote areas where poverty is higher."

The additional financing to the ongoing project will enable the Government of Haiti to expand the provision of clean and reliable electricity service, provide technical assistance to the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANARSE) and develop a policy and legal framework for private sector-led renewable energy investments. The Government of Haiti plans to expand access to electricity through solar photovoltaic mini-grids with storage, microgrids, and stand-alone solar systems, as part of its World Bank-assisted National Electrification Strategy Analysis. This additional financing will help achieve this goal.

In addition, the initial project and its additional financing will support the construction of 5 to 12 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, through solar panel systems and battery storage, which is expected to hybridize at least two isolated grids currently running on diesel. Priority hospitals will also be equipped with additional renewable energy systems and maintenance.

The additional IDA financing is provided in the form of a grant. The initial project "Haiti : Renewable Energy for All" was declared effective on July 28, 2018. It is financed by three trust funds, totaling US$22.5 million.

HL/ HaitiLibre