According to the Bank’s website, the Project Development Objective (PDO) is (i) to increase on-grid electricity access, and (ii) enable renewable energy generation in targeted project areas of the participating countries.

The proposed Project will help The Gambia reach universal electricity access and Togo make a major leap towards universal electricity access. It will accelerate on-grid electricity access while enabling the development of regional-scale renewable energy generation and supporting reforms for sustainability. It will provide new distribution networks and electricity service, more enabling country frameworks for private sector involvement on renewable generation, and enhanced implementation capacity.

Supported activities can be grouped in three components.
- Component 1 - On-Grid Electricity Access - will accelerate access to on-grid electricity service through (1) the densification of distribution networks in partially electrified communities and (2) the extension of distribution networks in unelectrified communities. The densification of distribution networks (Subcomponent 1.1) will involve supplying and installing low voltage cables and meters to provide electricity to households, schools, health centers, and small businesses in communities where distribution networks already exist, but households are unable to afford connection. The extension of distribution networks (Subcomponent 1.2) will consist of supplying and constructing medium and low voltage distribution networks; installing service drops and (prepaid) meters; and providing supervisory engineering services, to connect households, schools, health centers, and small businesses in over 800 communities with electricity network and service. Feasibilities studies are ongoing to firm up the list of targeted communities, provide preliminary design, and later determine the network paths.
- Component 2 - Renewable Energy Generation Support - will support the development of regional scale renewable energy generation through a private public partnership approach to leverage private investments. It comprises two subcomponents. Subcomponent 2.1 will provide technical assistance to (i) enhance country legal, regulatory, policy, and public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks and (ii) improve power utilities' financial viability. Subcomponent 2.2 will provide transaction advisory services - covering financial, technical, and legal support - in the Gambia and Togo for the development of regional-scale solar power plants (100 MW in the Gambia and 150 MW in Togo) in consultation with MIGA and IFC.
- Component 3 - Institutional Strengthening and Implementation Support - will enhance country and regional institutional capacity and enable adequate project coordination and implementation. Subcomponent 3.1 will provide resources to country project implementation unit for adequate project execution and help country energy ministries to develop a geospatial-based monitoring system to track achievement of electricity access and renewable energy targets. Subcomponent 3.2 will strengthen the ECOWAS Regional Coordination Unit (RCU)'s project coordination, technical assistance, and learning functions; and enhance the capacity of the regional energy regulator (ERERA).

The overall environmental and social risk rating for this project is High for social and Substantial for environmental risks. The High rating is primarily driven by the downstream risks associated with the transaction advisory services supporting the development of regional-scale solar and hydropower plants in Togo and The Gambia — including the hydropower plant within The Gambia River Basin — in partnership with IFC and MIGA. Key downstream risks include land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, livelihood impacts on project-affected communities, pollution (soil, air and water) and potential impacts on biodiversity-sensitive ecosystems or critical habitats. For Component 1, the component finances small-scale MV/LV grid densification and extensions in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of Togo and The Gambia, with risks that are temporary, predictable, and readily mitigable. Key social risks include labor and working conditions, and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for electrical works at height, lifting operations, and energized equipment), community health and safety in public rights-of-way, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) associated with limited labor influx, public safety around worksites and newly energized installations, and affordability barriers for poor and vulnerable households. Minor land take for poles and transformers and localized economic disruption along rights-of-way may occur but will be minimized through design. The security situation in northern Togo, where spillover of extremist violence from Burkina Faso and northern Benin may increase social conflict risks, will require specific attention. Key environmental risks under Component 1 include erosion and sedimentation from earthworks, electrocution, traffic disruption and safety, excavated material management, occupational health and safety, dust and noise from construction, and potential risks associated with SF6 in MV switchgear.

Total Project Cost: US$ 260.00 million
IDA Credit: US$ 50.00 million
IDA Grant: US$ 60.00 million
IDA Shorter Maturity Loan (SML): US$ 50.00 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Alain Ouedraogo
Title: Lead Energy Specialist
Email: aouedraogo2@worldbank.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint