On Wednesday, September 30, the Board of Directors of the World Bank approved additional funding of $6.9 million for the project "Haiti : Renewable Energies for All". This funding aims to develop investments in renewable energies in order to extend and improve access to electricity for health infrastructures, households, businesses and services within communities.

"Access to a reliable source of energy is essential to strengthening the country's health institutions, to enable them to supply the equipment necessary for the management of the coronavirus pandemic as well as other priority health services. This ad hoc intervention complements the support already implemented in the health sector, at the same time it strengthens the country's resilience in the face of future shocks," said Anabela Abreu, Country Director of the World Bank in Haiti, adding "Access to clean and locally produced energy will also promote inclusive growth in Haiti, by encouraging innovation and new investments, essential for post-COVID-19 economic recovery."

The electricity sector represents a major obstacle to economic development as well as to emergency response and recovery to shocks in Haiti. In fact, the country's hospitals are largely dependent on emergency generators, powered by diesel, the electricity network is often only available a few hours a day. Lack of reliable access to electricity hampers the efficiency of laboratories responsible for testing for coronavirus, limits the distribution and secure storage of drugs (and possibly vaccines), and may prevent the use of vital equipment, such as oxygen concentrators.

This additional funding of 6.9 million will allow the Government to extend the supply of clean and reliable electricity to at least four priority health centers involved in the response to the pandemic. Funded activities include the installation of solar panels and energy storage batteries for sanitation and water distribution infrastructure. The project will also complete the rehabilitation of the Drouet mini-hydropower plant in the Artibonite department, which will provide clean and reliable electricity to neighboring communities as well as to the regional grid.

This additional funding includes a donation of $4 million from the International Development Association (IDA), and $2.9 million from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program trust fund.

Recall that the "Haiti : Renewable Energies for All" Project was launched in March 2018 thanks to a donation of $19.62 million from the Strategic Climate Fund.

HL/ HaitiLibre