The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has thrown its weight behind the development of a 10-MW Biomass-to-Power plant with a financial boost of US$990 000.

The project, which is being handled by eThala Management Services, will enable further diversification of South Africa’s power generation mix away from coal dominance by adding renewable energy generation from biomass.

The viability of the project will have a significant demonstration effect with regards to bioEnergy and showcase corporate power purchase agreements as an anchor for renewable energy generation.

The plant will be located in Harding, 200 km south of Durban in KwaZulu Natal and is expected to deliver economic empowerment and boost the socio-economic development of Harding community.

The project’s source of biomass is agricultural, forestry and timber processing waste which coupled with the gasification technology presents significant CO2 emissions reductions benefits.

Pilot testing cutting-edge clean tech

“With the sponsor being a women-led business, the project is aligned with the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa and can have a significant demonstration effect,” says Ousseynou Nakoulima, AfDB’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Director.

The SEFA funding will be instrumental in supporting the development of the project towards financial close by detailed engineering designs, a full environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), as well as legal and financial/transaction advisory services.

The Project is consistent with the Bank’s 10-Year Strategy on inclusive/green growth through the delivery of energy access; the Bank’s Private Sector Development Strategy (2013-2017) through leveraging of private sector financing, the Energy Sector Policy 2012 and the New Deal on Energy for Africa.

It is also aligned with the Bank’s Country Strategy Paper for South Africa, 2013–2017, which emphasizes supporting “pilot testing cutting-edge clean energy and energy efficiency technologies,” in the country.