29 May 2012: The World Bank approved a US$200 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA) to expand electricity access to rural communities in Ethiopia.

The “Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project (ENREP)” seeks to increase rural electricity coverage, and to provide electricity services in an affordable, modern and cost-effective manner. The financial support will be used to upgrade and extend the electricity network grid and intensify electricity connections to rural areas.

Aside from these main objectives, the project also seeks to create a market for energy efficient appliances such as stand-alone solar home systems, solar lanterns, improved cook-stoves, biogas and compact fluorescent lamps; and will provide assistance for private sector renewable energy initiatives. [World Bank Press Release]