Teseney 6 MW Mini-Grid Project to Boost Energy Access in Eritrea

Eritrea is set to roll out a 6 MW mini-grid project in Teseney under the Desert to Power framework, aiming to provide stable electricity supply to thousands of people in the region. This project is part of a larger initiative that includes two additional mini-grids in Kerekebet (3 MW) and Barentu (3 MW), collectively providing 12 MW of renewable energy to underserved communities.

The larger initiative including this project will be implemented by the national Ministry of Energy, the Eritrean Electricity Corporation (EEC), and local companies, with guidance from a design and engineering technical consulting firm. The new mini-grids will support residential households, small-scale farms, agro-processing zones, and water supply systems, benefiting over 235,000 Eritreans, 20% of whom are youth.

Additionally, the mini-grids are expected to enhance local infrastructure, providing reliable electricity to more than 160 schools and 90 health centers in the Gash Barka region. To promote long-term sustainability, 25 local companies will receive training and equipment.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is financing the Teseney mini-grid as part of a broader $19.5 million grant under the Bank’s Transitional Support Facility (TSF). Eritrea’s Minister of Finance and National Development, Dr. Ghiorghis Teklemichael, signed the agreement on behalf of the government.

The initiative is a crucial step in expanding renewable energy in Eritrea and aligning with broader regional energy goals under the Desert to Power program.