June 27, 2016 By Regina Pratt
Sierra Leone was among three African countries announced as winners of the Renewable Energy Project to benefit from US$7million Access Co-Development Facility Prize, according to a press release issued on Friday, 24 June 24, 2016 by the African Press Organisation in London.
“Access Power, a developer, owner and operator of renewable power projects in emerging markets, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2016 US$7 million Access Co-Development Facility (ACF), a financial support mechanism for renewable energy projects in Africa,” the release stated.
The release further identified the winners as AGES PLC 25MW solar project in Sierra Leone, Mentach Energy 50 MW wind project in Nigeria and Stucky Ltd 25MW Hydro & Solar project in Madagascar.
According to the release the projects would collectively deliver 100 megawatts of electricity to 340,000 homes.
The release also stated that the three projects from Nigeria, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone fought off a fierce competition from almost 100 entries to win a share of US$7million prize, adding that the prize also includes a package of technical support designed to bring their renewable energy projects to life.
The release added that the winners were announced in London at the 18th annual Africa Energy Forum, following a presentation by five shortlisted developers to a panel of expert judges, noting that the judges selected the three winners based on commercial, technical and environmental merits, as well as the local regulatory environment, and capability of the project team.
The 18th annual Africa Energy Forum was held from22-24 June, 2016 in London at The O2 Continental hotel.
Reda El Chaar, Executive Chairman of Access Power said: “I am delighted to congratulate today’s well-deserved winners and we look forward to working with each of them to provide the technical skills, expertise and financing to get their projects across the finish line.
“There is still a massive, urgent need for electrification in Africa and we firmly believe that renewable energy will be a significant part of the solution,” the chairman said, adding that “this year’s ACF competition introduced us to almost 100 projects, demonstrating the scale of entrepreneurialism and ambition across the African continent to meet the electrification challenge.”