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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved an additional $20 million in financing for Haiti’s “Renewable Energy for All” project, aiming to expand the country’s renewable energy infrastructure and improve electricity access for households, businesses, and community services. The funds, provided by the International Development Association (IDA), will help scale up investments in renewable energy and address the significant challenges facing Haiti’s electricity sector.
Haiti’s energy sector has long been a barrier to economic growth, disaster response, and recovery efforts. With only 47.1% of the population having access to electricity in 2021, recurring fuel shortages and the underperformance of the national utility, Electricité d’Haïti (EDH), have compounded the country’s energy challenges.
“Access to energy is critical for basic services such as health and education, and for driving investment and innovation,” said Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, World Bank Country Manager for Haiti. She emphasized that renewable energy can be a key component in Haiti’s efforts to achieve universal access, particularly in remote areas with higher poverty levels.
The additional financing will support the Haitian government’s national electrification strategy, which focuses on expanding access through solar photovoltaic-based mini-grids, micro-grids, and standalone solar systems. The project also includes technical assistance for Haiti’s National Regulatory Authority for the Energy Sector to help develop a policy and regulatory framework that encourages private sector investment in renewable energy.
The funds will support the construction of 5 to 12 megawatts of renewable energy capacity using solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage systems. This renewable energy is expected to hybridize isolated diesel-powered grids and provide clean, reliable electricity to priority hospitals, enhancing the country’s energy resilience and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
The original “Renewable Energy for All” project was launched in 2018 with $22.5 million in funding from three trust funds, including the Climate Investment Funds and the Clean Technology Fund.
