Kick-off Mission for Sao Tome Green Energy Acceleration Plan

IED in a consortium with TPF has just completed the start-up mission for the Sao Tome Green Energy Acceleration Plan, financed by the African Development Bank for the Sao Tome Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Environment Cluster.

The objective of the project is triple :

1. Assess the renewable energy immediate maximum penetration for this island of 200 000 inhabitants, located off the Gulf of Guinea,

2. Update the low-cost development plan for the electricity sector,

3. Train managers of the sector.

Currently the island is powered by about twenty small diesel units in poor condition, unreliable and with low efficiency. Many renewable energy projects (photovoltaic, hydro, biomass, etc.) are on the agenda and could increase the country's energy independence, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and improve the service quality.

SaoTome

The island being about 300km from the coast, as a result any electrical interconnection is too costly. It is therefore essential to properly assess the maximum penetration rate of renewable energy so not to further unbalance the existing system.

This mission challenge was to present on site the project to all local actors and collect the data necessary for the studies. This project duration is 6 months and the next missions will deliver the results of the analysis carried out.