Could you give us a brief introduction to ABREC?

The African Biofuel and Renewable Energy Company (ABREC) is an African initiative launched in 2009 to combat the negative effects of climate change effectively, promote and develop renewable energy projects in Africa. It is a holding company, the shareholders of which comprise 15 African states and 6 Financial institutions, and has two main arms: a technical assistance facility and an investment fund, the African Renewable Energes Fund (AREF). ABREC has the status of an international organisation. 

The Fund, to be launched at the end of the year, is attached to the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Fund’s objective is to take minority capital holdings in renewable-energy and energy-effi ciency projects.

Could you give a summary of your activity?

ABREC has provided technical assistance and helped mobilise funds for the installation of solar street lights in Sierra Leone and Togo. We have also worked with the Electrical Community of Benin (ECB) which supplies the electricity for two 5 MW solar power plants in Togo and Benin. Furthermore, we are partners with and executive agency for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) for the Regional Energy Effi ciency and Renewable Energies Programme. Our mission is to identify and examine projects, write the calls to tender and assist governments with the execution. Three areas have been selected: solar street lighting, rural electrifi cation using solar kits or small-scale plants and the installation. 

Visit: www.faber-abref.org/

Also visit: www.oecd.org/greengrowth/greening-energy/greengrowthandenergy.htm 

©OECD Observer No 296, Q3 2013

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