Sudan: African Development Bank approves $21.783 million grant for roll out of solar-powered irrigation
The
African Development Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a grant to the
government of Sudan to accelerate the adoption of solar-powered irrigation
pumps in the country’s West Kordofan and North Kordofan states.
The
project will enable farmers’ adoption of renewable energy technology through
the installation of 1,170 photovoltaic (PV) irrigation pumps, the establishment
of maintenance and repair workshops for the pumps, and the supply of equipment
for a pump testing laboratory to provide certification and training.
Agriculture
is an important economic sector in Sudan. In 2016, nearly 40% of the country’s
GDP came from farming. For the sector, and for the wider economy, the project
offers significant and numerous knock-on benefits. As a result of the expected
phasing out of diesel-fueled pumps, participating farmers will realise cost
savings from no longer needing to purchase diesel, which is scarce in rural
areas. Productivity also would increase: diesel generators require time
consuming maintenance and repair. Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from
agriculture, the country’s largest contributor, would fall.
Mr.
Paul Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems Development, noted that “by
extending farmers a grant covering 75% of installation costs, the government,
with Bank support, will overcome the most significant hurdle of adopting clean
PV technology: high upfront costs.” The remaining 25% will be payable in
installments over three years. He added that the project will conduct a ground
water survey and sustainability assessment that will inform the development of
subsequent projects in Sudan.
The
project meets the Sudanese government’s renewable energy and poverty reduction
objectives as well as the Bank’s High Five and Energy Sector Policy. Moreover,
the project has strong potential to be replicated and scaled up in other parts
of the country.
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