AfDB set to co-fund $900m Mauritania-Mali power line project

<p>Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development noted that the strategic nature of the project would have a strong transformative effect on the economy.</p>, <span>AfDB set to co-fund $900m Mauritania-Mali power line project</span>, <h2>The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has affirmed its commitment to support 900 million dollar multinational power transmission line between Mauritania and Mali, connecting 620,000 people to electricity.</h2>, <p>The Bank, in a statement on its website, made the commitment with the partners at a roundtable in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott. It said the discussions explored funding options for the project, which also entailed developing solar power stations.</p>, <p>It said: “AfDB has worked closely with both countries to prepare the project, and affirmed its interest in co-funding.</p>, <p>“The project aligns with the Bank’s Desert-to-Power initiative, which is set to become the world’s largest area of solar power generation.</p>, <p>“The initiative will increase solar production capacity by 100M. It will also strengthen and extend distribution networks covering nearly 1,500 km of high-voltage (225 kV) lines.”</p>, <p>Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Abdessalam Saleh, said the strategic nature of the project would have a strong transformative effect on the economy. Saleh said it would also create a connection to the Senegal River Basin Development Organisation’s grid.</p>, <p>“The project constitutes an essential link in the regional electricity distribution system known as the “trans-Sahel spine,” which is currently being studied.</p>, <p>“ It will link Mauritania to Chad, passing through three other landlocked countries; Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.</p>, <p>“ The 225 kV line will connect new renewable energy parks to the sub-region’s power grid “Saleh added.</p>, <p>The AfDB’s Deputy Director-General for North Africa, Malinne Blomberg, said the project would turn AfDB’s policy of supporting the development of green infrast