Somaliland has one of the highest costs of electricity in the world and access to affordable, reliable electricity is a significant barrier to growth.
The Energy Security and Resource Efficiency in Somaliland (ESRES) Programme aims to strengthen energy security and access in Somaliland through diversifying Somaliland’s energy sources with the introduction of a renewable component.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the implementation of the Energy Security and Resource Efficiency in Somaliland (ESRES) Programme was signed in July 2015 between the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).
The ESRES Programme governance structure includes a Joint Steering Committee (JSC). The day-to-day implementation of the ESRES Programme is entrusted to an external Programme Manager. The Programme Manager also acts as the Secretariat of the Joint Steering Committee.
The ESRES Programme will be implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1 (30 months): pilot-phase;
- Phase 2 (24 months): expansion-phase.
Phase 1 of the Programme exists of three components:
- Technical assistance to the MoEM for the development of an appropriate policy and regulatory framework for the sector;
- Pilot the development and implementation of hybrid mini-grids;
- Create a Renewable Energy Fund towards the end of Phase 1.