Electricity: Haiti's government targets 60% access by 2032 in a plan worth nearly $6 billion

The government wants to raise the share of Haitians with access to electricity to 60% and make 250,000 new connections by 2032. Joseph Almathe Pierre Louis, Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC), presented the targets on Thursday 29 October at a national workshop on planning and developing the electricity sector, held at the Kinam hotel in Pétion-Ville, according to Le Nouvelliste, HPN and Monnelys TV Network.

The whole programme is estimated to cost between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion. Two documents were presented: the Haiti Electrification Plan and a roadmap for transforming the sector over 2027-2032, drawn up with the Technical Execution Unit (UTE) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Energy Sector Regulatory Authority (ANARSE).

"Haiti will not recover through improvisation," the minister said, as quoted by HPN. "We do not simply want to light up homes," he added.

Six regional grids and solar mini-grids

The plan calls for six regional electricity grids to improve access to power across the country. Of the 250,000 connections, 150,000 would come through decentralised solutions, according to HPN. A first phase would reach about 100,000 households through some fifty mini-grids, and about 227,000 households with individual solar systems. Technical and commercial losses, which drain the sector today, are to be brought below 35%.

The plan also sets a target of 200 megawatts of reliable generation in the metropolitan area and 80 megawatts in the other regions. Projects cited by HPN include a 13.4 MW solar plant with battery storage under construction in Caracol, a 4 MW plant planned at Monfleury in Jacmel, 15-20 MW pilot projects in Les Cayes and Fort-Liberté, and hybrid mini-grids in ten localities, including Vallières, Mont-Organisé, Tiburon, Dame-Marie and Beaumont. The plan also includes training 500 technicians and managers.

Funding still to be found

The ministry did not say where the money will come from. The state is counting on public-private partnerships and foreign investment, as well as smart meters to modernise distribution, Le National reported. The announced figure is a basis for planning projects and raising funds and could change depending on generation needs, according to HPN and Vant Bèf Info. Technical and financial partners took part in the workshop.