London-based financier InfraCo Africa said that it is committing USD 1.7 million (EUR 1.74m) to support off-grid energy developer Equatorial Power (EP) as it rolls out mini-grids in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

The two parties signed an agreement to co-develop four new mini-grids and four agri-processing hubs (APHs) on Idjwi Island, DRC, and four solar mini-grids and three APHs in south-east Rwanda.

The mini-grids will range in size from 60 kW and 85 kW and incorporate battery storage to manage fluctuating sunshine during rainy seasons in the two countries, InfraCo Africa said. The entire project is expected to deliver some 3,300 connections to low-income consumers in DRC and 2,500 in Rwanda, and enable over 35,000 people to get access to clean energy.

EP is described as more than a power provider. Its solutions integrate power production, water purification, agri-processing and other productive activities.

InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), said that it has leveraged a USD-1.35-million capital grant from its sister company PIDG Technical Assistance to support this project. The World Bank has committed USD 1.054 million of grant funding for the roll-out in the DRC.

AE News