Contacts: Washington: Aby Toure: 202-473-8302 akonate@worldbank.org Cotonou: Sylvie A. Nenonene (229) 21 30 5857 snenonene@worldbank.org Nadiath A. Dende ndende@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved an International Development Association (IDA) additional credit in the amount of US$7 million to strengthen and expand activities of the Energy Services Delivery Project (ESDP) in Benin. The additional amount approved will be used to conduct the following specific studies and activities: Engineering studies: (i) Feasibility study of the Maria Gléta site, which is expected to serve as the site for the establishment of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) regional project; and (ii) Preliminary studies for the Adjarala hydroelectric project. Extension of transmission and distribution systems: (i) Rehabilitation of the Benin Distribution Power Utility (SBEE) thermal substation in Akpakpa; (ii) Upgrade of the SBEE distribution network;
(iii) Installation of protective equipment at the Benin/Togo Generation and Transmission Power Company (CEB) substations in order to facilitate operation of the loop transmission system in the South of Benin; and (iv) Provision of cable heads to link the Djougou and Parakou stations; Funding of the environmental audit of the Sèmè oil field; and Technical assistance with SBEE financial management and capacity building.
“The additional ESDP financing that has just been approved is in line with the major priorities of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) formulated by the Government of Benin in 2006. Using this additional financing, the World Bank intends to contribute, along with the Government, to providing the people of Benin with reliable and affordable energy services, which are key to economic growth in Benin,” said Ms. Fanny Missfeldt-Ringius, Senior Energy Economist and Team Leader at the World Bank for the ESDP. The Energy Services Delivery Project was launched in 2005 with the main development objective of expanding access by the people of Benin in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas to modern energy services. Initial financing for the first project amounted to US$45 million (World Bank), US$12 million (Nordic Development Fund), and US$8 million (African Development Bank). The project is being implemented by the SBEE, CEB, and the General Energy Directorate. #### For more information on the World Bank’s activities in Benin, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/benin For more information on the World Bank’s activities in Sub-Saharan Africa, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr For more information about this project visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=322639&menuPK=322673&Projectid=P111019 |
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