Power Africa Annual Report 2021

The initiative added 1,329 megawatts of new electricity, with 95% coming from renewable sources. This was achieved through 24 power projects that brought electricity to various parts of the continent. Power Africa also launched the Energy Access Relief Fund, a $100 million initiative aimed at protecting energy access for at least 20 million people. In addition to these efforts, Power Africa forged a strategic partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet to work with African governments to address energy poverty and climate change. The initiative also pledged commitment to the Mega Solar project, a partnership between the Governments of Namibia and Botswana to generate up to 5 GW of solar power and reduce reliance on coal in Southern Africa. Power Africa's electrification efforts also extended to health facilities, with over 220 facilities in 9 countries being electrified through a $2.8 million grant initiative. This initiative rewarded sustainable business models from private sector off-grid energy companies. The efforts resulted in avoided CO2 emissions of 6.2 million tons, equivalent to burning 6.8 billion pounds of coal. The initiative also welcomed Denmark as its 20th Development Partner and added 18 Private Sector Partners. Power Africa delivered first-time electricity access to 39.7 million people through 8.1 million new on- and off-grid connections to homes and businesses. Since 2013, Power Africa has invested $49 million into 13 clean energy-finance vehicles, resulting in $1.6 billion in commitments and over $780 million in actual investments. Power Africa's Coordinator, Mark Carrato, highlighted the challenges faced by the initiative in 2021, including the pandemic's impact on supply chains, operations, and morale. However, he noted that the collective efforts of Power Africa partners brought significant progress, including the launch of the Energy Access Relief Fund and the partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. The initiative also made significant strides in Kenya, with the commissioning of the Kipeto Wind Farm, which generates 100 megawatts of clean electricity to power approximately 250,000 Kenyan households. Power Africa's support for the project included modernizing Kenya's grid to integrate renewable energy, facilitating a $230 million debt facility, and producing a Biodiversity Action Plan. Power Africa is also taking steps to create a U.S.-Africa Cleantech Energy Network, which will support U.S. firms to increase clean energy exports to Africa. The initiative has invested nearly $600 million in financing and technical assistance for renewable energy projects in Kenya, supporting 20% of Kenya's current clean power generation capacity. U.S. firms have invested $570 million into Kenya's off-grid market, creating 40,000 green energy jobs.