Capacity building for renewable energy projects in Senegal
Context
The renewable energy sector serves as a critical pathway for achieving Senegal’s climate commitments outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The Agence Nationale pour les Énergies Renouvelables (ANER) plays a pivotal role in the country’s climate strategy, harnessing the sector’s greenhouse gas mitigation potential through comprehensive project planning, design, implementation, and monitoring activities. However, fulfilling this mandate requires substantial capacity enhancement for both the agency and its personnel across multiple technical areas.
Currently, renewable energy sources comprise approximately 30% of Senegal’s electricity generation mix. The country has set an ambitious target to increase this to 40% by 2030, supported by the International Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
While ANER’s mandate includes identifying innovative financing mechanisms such as carbon finance, the agency currently lacks adequate resources to access substantial international climate funding opportunities. Strengthening ANER’s capacity to mobilize sustainable financing has become crucial for implementing ambitious renewable energy projects without excessive dependence on national budget allocations.
In alignment with the Paris Agreement’s objectives for enhanced climate action and financial mobilization, ANER has requested technical assistance from the Climate Action in Africa project to develop institutional capacity in climate finance and carbon market mechanisms.
Goal
The overall objective of this technical assistance initiative is to equip ANER staff with the necessary capabilities to utilise climate finance sources and carbon market mechanisms for effective planning, development, and implementation of renewable energy projects, thereby advancing Senegal’s national climate objectives.
CAA Technical Assistance
- Perspectives Climate Group will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis to identify capacity-building requirements within ANER’s organizational structure and staff competencies in climate finance and carbon market mechanisms.
- In addition to the themes of climate finance and carbon market mechanisms, the initiative will emphasize gender inclusion throughout all activities to promote increased women’s participation in climate action across institutional and project levels.
- Three comprehensive training sessions will be organized for ANER staff and representatives from partner institutions, including the supervisory ministry, AEME, ASER, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. The program anticipates approximately 36 participants, with a particular focus on women’s representation and promoting gender equality.
- Sessions will cover climate finance, carbon mechanisms and gender representation in renewable energy projects.
- Teaching materials will be produced, ensure media coverage of activities, and deliver a comprehensive final report containing actionable recommendations for sustainable capacity strengthening within ANER.
- Finally, the technical assistance includes a thorough assessment of ANER’s existing and planned project portfolio, providing strategic advice on financing pathways through climate finance sources and carbon market mechanisms.
