Burundi Energy Access Tender

Project SummaryApproval Date 17 Sep 2021Planned Completion Date 31 Dec 2027Last Disbursement Planned Date 31 Dec 2027Sovereign Non-Sovereign SovereignSector PowerDAC Sector Code 23220Commitment U.A 20000000Status ApprovedProject General DescriptionThe Energy Access Project - Phase 1 is an investment project that is part of Burundis priority investment operations. This project supplements and consolidates the outcomes of ongoing operations in Burundis energy sector. Despite Burundis relatively huge energy resources hydropower solar wind its electricity subsector has a low electricity access rate and significant electricity generation deficit due to low investment. The countrys electricity access rate is one of the lowest in the East African region. In 2019 the rate was 11 in Burundi compared to a regional average of 47. The situation is even worse in rural areas where the electricity access rate is almost zero 2 in 2019. However over the past few years Burundi with the support of development partners including the Bank has made considerable investments in electricity generation and transmission as well as in interconnection networks through several national and regional projects. This project covers 36 localities in 23 municipalities spread over 11 provinces of the country. It comprises i the construction of 323 km of 30 kV medium voltage overhead line 235 km of 0.4 kV low voltage network and the installation of 70 MVLV substations ii the reinforcement of 60 overloaded MVLV substations and connection of 26590 subscribers to the power network. The total project cost is estimated at UA 25.303 million and the project will be implemented over 60 months 2022-2026.Project ObjectivesThe project aims to improve effective electricity supply by reducing energy losses and undistributed energy following the reinforcement of mediumlow voltage substations. The elimination of substation overloads will improve the reliability of the electrical power network leading to increased availability of electricity. In particular the project intends to finance the connection of 39885 households with 26590 new subscribers to the transmission network which represents a 21 increase compared to the number of REGIDESO subscribers for 2018.BeneficiariesThe direct beneficiaries of the project will mainly be households primary and secondary schools health centres government offices places of worship and markets. The expected outcomes are i higher electricity access rate ii electrification of 36 new localities iii connection of 39885 new households to the power network with 187803 additional inhabitants 51 of whom are women iv reduced environmental degradation and contribution to climate change mitigation and v job creation and capacity building for the PIU and more generally REGIDESO staff. In 2026 the service rate will be 100 in the project area. Therefore all