Background
The Comoros recently joined the ranks of lower-middle-income countries, with the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, and livestock) comprising 46% of GDP and 57% of jobs, predominantly held by women. Despite a negative net emissions balance, the country has the potential to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the energy sector.
Energy production and consumption, heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, face significant challenges. Renewable energy sources like photovoltaics and geothermal energy offer mitigation potential. Although electricity access averages 76%, supply is unreliable with frequent outages, especially in rural areas. Each island has its own aging, unconnected power system, contributing to high costs and inefficiency.
Prioritized mitigation actions include consolidating the electricity grid to reduce losses and continuing photovoltaic power plant projects, as outlined in the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
CTCN support
This request aims to explore the feasibility of installing solar panels on public building roofs and to establish a net metering policy allowing energy producers and consumers to offset their electricity consumption with their own production.
The technical assistance seeks to promote renewable energy use in the Comoros by first diagnosing the current electricity network (medium and low voltage), analyzing its capacity to receive and distribute surplus renewable energy (primarily solar), and formulating a net metering policy.
Additionally, a concept note will be submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support the implementation of solar power installations in the Comoros archipelago. The country is also interested in a feasibility study for installing photovoltaic systems on public buildings in the capitals Moroni, Mutsamudu, and Fomboni.
Expected outcome
This initiative aims to enhance the use of renewable energy in the Comoros archipelago by evaluating and improving the current electricity infrastructure and policy framework through the expected results:
- Diagnose the current electricity network in the Comoros archipelago.
- Analyze the grid's capacity to receive and distribute excess energy from renewable sources (mainly solar).
- Develop a net metering policy along with a regulatory and institutional framework for solar installers.
- Prepare a concept note for installing the first solar panels on public buildings.
- Assess the potential and feasibility of installing photovoltaic systems on public building roofs to generate grid-connected solar energy.