CAR-Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project

The development objective of First Phase of the Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project for Central African Republic is to increase supply of, and access to clean energy services in Central African Republic. This project has four components. 1) The first component, Solar Generation and Transmission and Distribution (T&D) upgrades for Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) integration and increased access, has the following sub-components: (i) Supply and installation of five mini grids totaling 10 MW in selected provincial cities; and (ii) Solar generation, transmission and distribution reinforcement and extension. 2) The second component, Off-grid solar systems for households and productive uses, has the following sub-components: (i) Off-grid stand-alone solar systems for households and productive uses; and (ii) Installation of solar systems for public facilities. 3) The third component, Institutional strengthening, capacity building and implementation support, will provide support to improve the operational performance and strengthen institutional capacity of ENERCA, capacity building for key stakeholders, and project preparation and implementation support, including enhancing socio-economic and gender equality aspects. 4) The fourth component, Contingent and Emergency Response, is added to provide the needed space for quick responses to natural disasters or health crisis to protect people livelihoods, if needed, as part of the World Bank-financed projects portfolio contributions in mobilizing financial resources to support the Government’s emergency plan.