Source: Afrik21
The United States of America is again funding access to electricity in Africa. The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has decided to fund feasibility studies for a solar mini-grid project by Sosai Renewable Energies Company. The Sabon Gari (Nigeria) based company wants to provide electricity to 200,000 women farmers in Kaduna, Kogi, and Plateau states.
“This USTDA grant will enable Nigeria to take a major step forward in achieving its rural electrification goals and initiate projects that will make a difference to communities, women, economic development, and the agricultural sector. For Sosai, the benefit of the USTDA grant is immense, positioning us for greater growth and opportunity in the future,” says Habiba Ali, Managing Director of Sosai Renewable Energies Company.
A tender for US companies
As part of its grant, the USTDA is inviting bids from US companies to conduct feasibility studies for the rural solar mini-grid project. The scope of work for the selected firm will include site surveys, preliminary engineering work, economic and financial analysis, and an assessment of the likely impact of the project on rural women’s development. US companies interested in the feasibility studies have until April 26th, 2021 to apply.
“The studies will also create business opportunities for US suppliers of equipment and services in the mini-grid sector in Nigeria while supporting up to 20 MW of new solar power capacity in rural communities,” USTDA says. The US financial company is providing funding for Power Africa’s solar mini-grid project.
As part of this initiative to support Africa’s electrification process, the USTDA has awarded a grant of more than $932,000 to Renewable Energy Innovators Cameroon (REIC) and SimpliPhi Power for feasibility studies for a project to develop 134 solar mini-grids in rural areas in Cameroon.