The Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, the Ambassador of France to Benin, Véronique Brumeaux, and Adrien Haye, director of the French Development Agency (Afd) in Benin, proceeded on Wednesday 24 July, in Cotonou, at the signing of two financing agreements. Which relate to the Electricity Extension and Densification of Networks Project (Peder) of the Beninese Electric Power Company (Sbee). This project will ultimately provide 150,000 new people with access to electricity.

At a total cost of 40 billion CFA francs, the Project for the extension and densification of electricity networks (Peder), whose financing agreements were signed yesterday, aims to improve access to electricity in around sixty localities spread over fifteen municipalities in seven departments including Alibori, l’Atlantique, les Collines, Donga, Ouémé and Plateau. Said project provides for the extension and densification of the electricity network as well as the creation of new connections.

“This specific action s The Peder whose funding is provided by the European Union (10 billion F Cfa) and the French Development Agency (29.5 billion F Cfa) will ultimately contribute to the economic development of Benin by improving people’s access to quality energy services as well as the performance of the Beninese Electricity Energy Company (Sbee).

Specifically, the Peder has the advantage of increasing the rate of access to electricity in the targeted area and reducing the disparities in access between urban and rural areas, improving the quality of electricity service for current subscribers. and future of Sbee thanks to better network reliability, modernizing network management capabilities and reducing technical and commercial losses. All things that will help strengthen the financial health of the electric power distribution company. ‘fits perfectly into the joint strategy of the EU, France and Afd, and of our Beninese partners to achieve a paradigm shift in the energy sector ”, underlined Olivier Nette, head of the EU delegation .

It is therefore expected that the Peder, once completed, will lead to the connection of approximately 30,000 households, with the key to the supply of modern and reliable energy, replacing fraudulent connections that do not meet security standards. , and generators, cells, batteries and other kerosene lamps. Likewise, it will improve energy service and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to this project, 150,000 new people should have access to electricity, 700,000 subscribers will see their energy service improve, not to mention the creation of more than 300 jobs.

It should be noted that the Project for the extension and densification of electricity networks is part of the Government’s Action Program, the development of the energy sector of which is a priority axis with the objective of strengthening the energy system in order to make it largely autonomous, competitive and capable of supplying reliable and quality electricity to production units and to the populations of Benin.