In brief
- On September 9, 2019, Horn Diplomat reported that Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and UK officials signed an agreement to develop Somaliland's energy sector.
- The report says the UK-funded ESRES programme is addressing high electricity costs through renewable energy and planned hybrid mini grids.
- The article did not state funding amounts, timelines, or any developments after the signing.
On September 9, 2019, Horn Diplomat reported that Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi received UK Ambassador to Somalia Benfendor in his office. The two discussed bilateral relations, regional security, elections, development projects and talks between Somaliland and Somalia, according to the report.
Horn Diplomat said President Bihi and Damon Bristow, the Head of DFID, signed the second phase of the UK's pledge to contribute to the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF). The article did not state the monetary value, currency or duration of that second phase.
President Bihi and Bristow also signed an agreement to develop Somaliland's energy, according to Horn Diplomat. The article provided no details of that agreement: no specific projects, funding amounts, implementation timelines or expected outcomes.
The report described the UK-funded Energy Security and Resource Efficiency in Somaliland (ESRES) programme as giving more people across Somaliland access to affordable, clean and renewable energy. Horn Diplomat said ESRES, in partnership with the Somaliland Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MoEM), is addressing the high costs of electricity in Somaliland through a phased approach. The second phase, ESRES II, runs from September 2018 to 2021, according to the article.
Horn Diplomat reported that ESRES II will expand its investment in renewable energy through the Somaliland Renewable Energy Fund (SREF). The article said this investment will help increase affordability and accessibility through lower tariffs and more connections, but it did not provide tariff figures, connection targets or baseline data. It also said ESRES II will partner with local energy service providers to develop hybrid mini grids through a cost sharing arrangement, but it did not name providers or specify the number, capacity or locations of mini grids.
The report did not say whether any progress has been made since its publication. It remains a historical account of a signing on that date.
Frequently asked questions
What are the specific commitments under the energy agreement?
The September 9, 2019 Horn Diplomat report did not specify the commitments. It only said President Bihi and the Head of DFID signed an agreement to develop Somaliland's energy.
How will the pact impact electricity tariffs and supply?
The report said ESRES II investment will help increase affordability and accessibility through lower tariffs and more connections, but it provided no figures or targets.
Sources
Photo: European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo, via Wikimedia Commons
