The World Bank will support Burundi with a US$100mn loan for a hydropower project in the southeast African country
The Jiji-Mulembwe project includes the construction of two hydropower stations with a total capacity of 48MW, which is expected to generate clean electricity and replace those produced from more costly alternative sources such as diesel generators.
Only four per cent of Burundi’s 10mn population currently have access to electricity, making it one of the lowest access rates across the globe, according to the World Bank.
Demand for electricity in the nation is expected to grow from 46MW in 2012 to 92MW by 2018 and could reach as high as 192MW by 2025, it added.
Makhtar Diop, World Bank’s vice-president for Africa said, “By developing hydropower responsibly, the World Bank can contribute to peace and stability in the wider Great Lakes region. The Jiji-Mulembwe hydropower project will deliver clean, low-cost hydropower and development impact for Burundi while also protecting the environment.”
