| Project Detail |
The Rural Electrification Project (PERU) is an investment project concerning the extension and densification of rural electricity distribution networks. The project is in keeping with the 2016-2021 Government Action Programme which, among others, aims to build up the country’s energy capacities and improve the population’s living conditions. It covers the entire territory of Benin with the exception of the city of Cotonou where the Bank is financing a similar project approved in 2017. PERU concerns 309 localities representing an estimated beneficiary population of one million inhabitants. The project has the following three components: (a) electricity infrastructure; (b) institutional support; and (c) Project Management. The total cost is EUR 96.39 million with an estimated Bank contribution of EUR 61.77 million. The project implementation period is 36 months.
Project Objectives
The PERU’s objective is to increase the rural electricity access rate from 8.11% in 2018 to 13.78% in 2022.
Beneficiaries
The Project’s main beneficiaries are the 48,324 households to be connected to the power grid. It is planned to reduce the connection cost to CFAF 25,000 instead of 90,000 since the project will finance the connection equipment. Thirty-five schools will be connected to the electricity network and will benefit from drinking water supply under the National School Canteens Support Project established by the Government. SBEE is also a direct beneficiary due to the increase in its number of subscribers and the volume of energy sales. The operational capacities of SBEE and ABERME will be built up through training sessions for their employees in charge of planning and operations. Access to electricity will benefit the productive sectors of the economy in the project areas, in particular handicrafts. Finally, local businesses specialising in electrical trades will be invited to bid for the household connection works. |
