Four renewable energy projects in developing countries in the Pacific and Africa have been identified by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) to receive $44.5-million in funding.

These projects include a 4.6 MW hybrid microgrid project in the Marshall Islands, which used solar photovoltaic (PV) and advanced lithium-ion batteries; 2.1 MW solar PV microgrids and solar home kits in Niger; a government-supported solar PV utility-scale project, which will integrate a 5 MW solar PV plant into an existing wind farm, in Seychelles; and a government-backed 20 MW reservoir dam and hydropower facility in the Solomon Islands.

The Marshall Islands project is set to provide renewable-energy access to over 16 000 people and will essentially eliminate fossil fuel-based generation on three outer islands, while reducing it by more than a third on a fourth island.

The Niger project will focus on electrification for over 150 000 people in rural areas, with 100 schools being electrified, drinking water supplies being improved and several thousand jobs created.

The solar PV project in the Seychelles will reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, create almost 300 jobs, and supply renewable power to over 1 800 households – benefiting the entire population of 90 000 people, while the Solomon Islands project will provide renewable energy access to 5 000 people, create around 400 jobs and avoid 44 000 t of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Applications were evaluated by an international panel of experts which reviewed the projects based on their technical feasibility, economic or commercial viability and socioeconomic and environmental benefits.

“Over the course of the last four years, the Irena/ADFD project facility has identified path breaking renewable-energy projects that are helping to expand access to energy, bolster energy security and provide sustainable, affordable energy for those who need it most,” said Irena director-general Adnan Amin.

He added that the facility was supporting transformational and replicable projects that could potentially bring sustainable energy to “millions of people” around the world.

ADFD director-general Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi noted that the agency was committed to steadfast development in the renewable-energy sector.

“It is a crucial industry for sustainable continuity, long-term growth and constructive evolution of developing nations. Over seven funding cycles, our $350-million partnership aims to support and enhance the developing world’s energy needs by tapping into their abundant renewable-energy sources,” he said.

Al Suwaidi added that the collaboration exemplified ADFD’s mission and commitment to provide governments with the financial resources, tools, methods and instruments to safeguard against future unknowns, grasp opportunities and seize desired development goals.

“The United Arab Emirates’s (UAE’s) commitment to advancing sustainable energy transitions in countries around the world has been unwavering. Our renewable-energy development aid has been growing significantly to more than $900-million. This is a testament of our belief in the vital role of renewable energy in achieving the [United Nations] Sustainable Development Goals and universal access to modern energy,” said Irena UAE representative Ali Al Shafar.

Through the Irena/ADFD funding, ADFD provides concessional loans ranging from $5-million to $15-million per project. Finance is offered at 1% to 2% lending rates with a 20-year loan period, including a five-year grace period.

Loans for each project cover up to half of the estimated project cost, leveraging additional funding from other sources. To help facilitate additional sources of funding, project developers can register and seek financing sources from Irena’s Sustainable Energy Marketplace.

Since 2013, $189-million has been allocated to 19 projects, and has attracted over $387-million in cofinancing for a total of $576-million in new investment inflow.

Selected projects thus far have included off-grid, mini-grid and on-grid projects using wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass sources. Selected projects over the first four cycles will bring more than 100 MW of renewable-energy capacity on line, and improve the livelihoods of over a million people.

Applications for the next round of funding will be accepted until February 15.