Virtual meeting with ARSE (Autorité de Régulation du Secteur de l'Énergie) of Burkina Faso presenting their adoption experience of the AFUR Mini-Grid Tariff Tool and regulatory developments in the Burkinabé energy sector.
ARSE presented Burkina Faso's current mini-grid landscape and their adoption journey with the AFUR tariff tool. The country has implemented significant energy sector reforms through Law 014-2017, promoting liberalisation of production and distribution, renewable energy sources, and transforming institutional structures including the creation of ABER (Burkinabé Rural Electrification Agency).
As of December 2022, Burkina Faso had installed 2,040 MW thermal and 2,179 MWc solar capacity in rural areas, generating 316.3 GWh annually. Infrastructure includes 20 mini green power plants, 15 hybrid solar plants, 10 solar injection plants, and 3 diesel thermal groups, with private sector contributing 760 kWc capacity. Despite progress, rural electrification remains low at 7.02% (2023), contrasting with urban rates of 87.04%.
ARSE adopted the AFUR tool to address three key needs: lack of financial models for mini-network development, the simplicity of AFUR's pricing methodology, and harmonisation of diverse financial models proposed by private developers. The tool is currently used for levelised cost of energy (LCOE) analysis and, pending Regulatory Council approval, will determine tariffs and subsidy amounts for rural mini-grid projects.
Training conducted in June 2024 through ABER and the UNDP Mini-Grid Program for Africa highlighted the need for extended face-to-face sessions, with participants requesting additional training to fully master the tool. ARSE found the adoption process enriching through experience-sharing with advanced regulatory jurisdictions.
🎯 Key Outcomes
a) ARSE to finalise Regulatory Council approval of the AFUR tool for official tariff setting and subsidy determination.
b) Implementation of follow-up training sessions to ensure comprehensive tool mastery among energy sector stakeholders.
c) Integration of the AFUR tool within Burkina Faso's National Rural Electrification Strategy (SNER 2024-2028) targeting 50% rural electrification by 2028.
d) Advancement of regulatory framework including Decree 1023 implementation and National Council for Rural Electrification creation.
e) Revision of rural area tariff structures aligned with AFUR tool methodologies.
