| World news India
Indian government releases guidelines to promote development of pump storage projects In a bid to promote the development of pump storage projects across India, the government has released new guidelines aimed at encouraging investment in this important sector. The guidelines were unveiled by the Ministry of Power and will help to boost the country’s energy storage capabilities. The guidelines aim to attract more investment in this sector by providing clear and comprehensive instructions on how to develop pump storage projects. They cover everything from the planning and development stages to the operation and maintenance of these projects. The guidelines also include details on how
to secure funding for pump storage projects, as well as information on the various regulatory and policy frameworks that govern this sector. According to the Ministry of Power, pump
storage projects have the potential to play a key role in India’s energy mix, particularly as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and increase its use of renewable energy sources. The guidelines are expected to provide a much-needed boost to the development of pump storage projects in the country, helping to create new jobs and support economic growth in the process.
Commenting on the release of the guidelines,
a spokesperson for the Ministry of Power said: “We are delighted to announce the release of these guidelines, which we believe will be an important tool in promoting the development of pump storage projects across India. With their potential to store renewable energy and support grid stability, pump storage projects have a crucial role to play in the country’s energy mix, and we are confident that these guidelines will help to unlock their full potential.” The new guidelines come after the release of draft guidelines back in February and have been created taking into account comments made on the draft document.
Pakistan
SFD signs $240 million loan agreement to support Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has signed a US$240 million loan agreement to support Pakistan’s Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project, which aims to improve the country’s energy security and increase sustainable water supply for agriculture and human consumption. The agreement was signed by the SFD CEO, Mr. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, and the Federal Secretary for Ministry of Economic Affairs, Pakistan, Dr. Kazim Niaz. The project is expected to have a significant impact
on Pakistan’s energy and water sectors by generating 800 MW of electricity production capacity using renewable energy sources. The storage of 1.6 million m3
Following the signing ceremony in Dar es of water will also
support sustainable agricultural practices and enable irrigation of 6,773 hectares of new land. Furthermore, the project will increase the total cropping area from 1,517 hectares to 9,227 hectares in the province, facilitating agricultural activities. The project aligns with SDG-2 (Food Security), SDG-6 (Clean Water), and SDG-7 (Clean Energy) and embodies SDG-17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The Mohmand Multipurpose Dam
Project is co-financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, OPEC, Islamic Development Bank, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. During the agreement signing ceremony, the CEO of SFD emphasized the strong developmental ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Dr. Kazim Niaz expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its unwavering support towards the development sectors in Pakistan through the SFD.
Tanzania
AfDB, EU, and France invest in hydropower in Tanzania The government of Tanzania, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed agreements for two development project loans worth $300 million to finance the construction of the Kakono Hydropower Plant in the Kagera region of Tanzania. The European Union (EU) has also granted €36 million for the project. The Kakono Hydropower Project is intended
to increase renewable generation capacity and reduce hydrological risk via a dam located on a new watershed that is less affected by droughts. Tanzania currently relies on hydropower and thermal power plants, mainly gas-fired, for its electricity supply. However, the Kakono Hydropower Project, which will be implemented by Tanzania’s Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 216,065 metric tons per year and comply with international environmental and social standards. The project is expected to serve four million people and increase the service coverage rate by around 7% of the population, as well as to spur economic growth in Tanzania and the neighboring countries. Alongside the construction of the new
hydropower plant, associated infrastructure will also be built, including the upgrading of the existing Kyaka substation and a new 39-kilometer 220-kilovolt transmission line, and capacity building support for TANESCO. The project is a result of close collaboration between the African Development Bank, the Agence francaise de developpement, and the European Union.
Salaam, participants expressed their support for the project. African Development Bank Country Manager for Tanzania, Patricia Laverley, observed that the Kakono Hydropower Plant would help to improve TANESCO’s financial sustainability and improve the quality of life for people in the Kagera region and in Tanzania more broadly. The French ambassador to Tanzania, Nabil Hajlaoui, expressed France’s readiness to invest in power generation and transmission projects to meet the rapidly growing electricity demand while reducing the carbon intensity of its energy mix. AFD Country Director, Celine Robert, noted that the investment would have a major impact on economic development and population well-being.
Cameroon
reservoir and associated tunnels, powerhouses, substations, and a 225kV transmission line connecting the project to Cameroon’s northern electricity grid. The project is intended to be developed on an independent power project basis with project sanction expected in 2024 and first power targeted in the 2027 to 2028 window. Under the terms of the MOA, Savannah
Savannah Energy to help develop Bini a Warak hydroelectric project British firm Savannah Energy has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Government of Cameroon for the development of the Bini a Warak Hydroelectric Project, a 75MW facility located in the northern Adamawa Region of Cameroon. The Bini project is expected to provide clean, stable and affordable power to Cameroon’s northern region, supporting both existing local electricity demand and enabling a number of energy-intensive industrial projects, principally in the cement and metallurgy industries. The project will also increase current on-grid electricity generation capacity in northern Cameroon by over 50%. The project involves the construction of a dam on the Bini River, together with an 82km2
plans to supplement existing feasibility studies and work with power industry authorities and development finance institutions to finalize the development, financing and resumption of construction of the Bini Project. Savannah expects to fund the Bini Project from a combination of its own internally generated cashflows and project-specific debt. Gaston Eloundou Essomba, the Minister
of Water and Energy for the Republic of Cameroon, said: “The decision to invest in the Bini Project is a clear indication of the confidence Savannah has in our country’s potential and our legal frameworks for investment. As a government, we will provide all the support needed to enable Savannah to deliver first power from this exciting project in the 2027 to 2028 window.”
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