Contents

Introduction.2
I. Country Context .................................................................................................................................... 2
a. Geography and climate ......................................................................................................................... 2
b. Institutional framework ........................................................................................................................ 3
c. Socio economic demographic context .................................................................................................. 4
II. Energy Sector Profile ............................................................................................................................. 5
a. Energy sector description ..................................................................................................................... 5
b. Current status of electricity sector ....................................................................................................... 6
c. Electricity demand ................................................................................................................................ 6
d. Electricity distribution ........................................................................................................................... 7
e. Traditional / Domestic energy .............................................................................................................. 9
III. Renewable Energy Resources ......................................................................................................... 10
a. Solar Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 10
b. Hydropower ........................................................................................................................................ 11
c. Biomass / Biofuels ............................................................................................................................... 12
d. Wind Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 13
IV. Existing Renewable Energy Technologies ....................................................................................... 14
Conclusion....16

References.17

Appendix...17
Introduction
Mali is located in the 10th and 17th northern parallels in West Africa. It covers an area of 1,241,248
km, of which 51% is desert and 4% arable lands. The country's climate varies from arid to very
arid in the north to pre-Guinean in the extreme south. The energy supply for households in Mali
has traditionally been based on biomass, mainly in the form of wood and charcoal for domestic
use, plays the dominant role in the Malian energy balance. In recent decade electrification of major
towns has been progressing. Parts of Mali are connected by a national grid, and most of the energy
derives from hydropower, not the least from the Manantali Dam in the western part of Mali. In
addition, a number of isolated grids, supplying power to limited, mostly urban, areas, exist, fuelled
mainly by diesel. The energy demand of the transport sector has been based on imported diesel
and gasoline as well(Economic Community of West African States, 2015).
Mali has experienced sustained economic growth in the last decades, but in 2012 it was hit by
security, institutional and economic problems that have hindered the countrys development. The
situation almost normalized in 2013 and the country is projected to grow economically. Poverty
indicators improved in the last decade, although 44% of the population still lives below the national
poverty line.
The primary energy supply in Mali is biomass, supplying 78% of all energy consumed. Electricity
access rates are low but improving, at 55% in urban and 15% in rural areas. Electricity demand is
growing extremely fast (about 10% per year in recent years) driven by domestic consumers and
the industrial and mining sectors. The national grid has a large but declining share of
hydroelectricity, but both isolated centres and large captive generators rely exclusively on fossil
fuels to satisfy their energy needs. International electricity trade will have a growing role in the
next years. In rural areas, a decentralized approach is being pursued, allowing private energy
services companies to operate. Gender issues and specific domestic energy policies are being
addressed by the state and by the rural and domestic energy agency (AMADER).

I. Country Context

a. Geography and climate

Mali is a landlocked country in the Sahelian belt of West Africa. It covers an area of 1,241,248
km, of which 51% is desert and 4% arable lands. The climate, highly variable, is characterized by
a long dry season and a rainy season averaging one month in the north and up to five months in
the south. Rainfall ranging from 1,200 mm/year to 200 mm/year has resulted in the climatic
stratification of the country into four ecological zones with a highly diversified agricultural
potential. Historical data indicate a rise in average temperature of about 0.7 degrees Celsius since
1960, and projections point to a continuation and acceleration of this rise as well as a decrease in
the overall amount of rain (with more frequent extreme events such as floods). Mali is highly
vulnerable to climate change, climate variability and desertification. These factors may create risks
for the RE sector, affecting biomass production and hydroelectric resources(AfDB and
Government Agencies, 2015).

2
 b. Institutional framework
Malian energy policy aims at contributing to a sustainable development of the country by making
energy services available to as many as possible, thereby favouring (promotion of) social-
economic activities. There are four specific objectives: Satisfy the energy needs of the country in
terms of quality and quantity at modest cost; Ensure protection of people, goods and the
environment against risks inherent to energy services; Strengthen the energy sector's capacity in
terms of management, control and strategic planning; Strengthen international cooperation
regarding the energy sector. These policies in general however are not yet sufficiently developed
and implemented to respond adequately to the rising demand for particularly electricity. The large
number of ministries, services and other actors somehow involved in the energy sector thereby
imply the amount of legal texts and regulations is considerable and communication amongst them
crucial while not always sufficiently practised. The general energy strategy of Mali focuses on the
development of local resources such as hydropower and solar energy in order to reduce petroleum
imports. Objectives of the National Energy Policy regarding renewable energy are: Promotion of
RE. The percentage of electricity generated by RE shall reach 6 % in 2010 and 10 % in 2015 (it
was less than 1 % in 2004) Search for financing mechanisms adapted to RE-technologies. Ensure
a sustainable setting for RE-technologies. For rural electrification a target of 55% by 2015 was
set(Helio International, 2009).

The regulatory environment is relatively favourable for energy investments in general. It is

governed by the following mechanisms:
The Rural Energy Fund AMADER;
Malis Industrial Development Policy (aimed at an orderly, rapid, sustainable, balanced
and employment-generating industrial development);
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) Framework (in the form of BOOT schemes);
The Investment Code (establishing a preferential customs and tax regime for the promotion
of investments);
The role of the Investment Promotion Agency (API), providing a one-stop shop for all
business start-up procedures, assistance to investors and issuance of certification in
accordance with the Investment Code; and
The guidelines for an application degree guaranteeing open competition and organization
of the Public Electricity Service (including the role and skills of various sector actors,
conditions of public electricity service management, conditions for delegating and
operating a public electricity service, and tariff and accounting principles in the sector).

The GoM has restructured the sector by adopting a new Electricity Law and its implementation
texts, which ends EDMs monopoly and has opened the sector to competition, under a regime of
transparent regulation by an independent agency. Reform processes and institutions need to be
strengthened to foster a lasting competitive business environment attractive to private investors
and operators. The imperative to provide energy services to the poor calls for a spectrum of energy

3
services, innovative service delivery mechanisms, with participation by communities, NGOs and
the private sector(Helio International, 2009).

Fig1. Energy Sector Institutional Landscape

c. Socio economic demographic context

As of 2012, Mali had a population of 14.85 million people with an average annual growth rate of
3.4%. The majority of the population (about 64%) lives in rural areas, but the urban population
grows steadily at 5% per annum. Population growth is a major concern for the countrys future
since it implies a strong increase in basic needs, including energy. Malis economy is dominated
by the primary sector, which accounts for 36.5% of GDP and employs nearly 85% of the working
population. The electricity and water sub-sector accounts for 1.91% of GDP (Data from the world
Bank,2014). Mali imports all the fossil fuel it needs, making it highly vulnerable to price volatility.
The mining sector also has a prominent role. Gold is Malis main export and the country is the
third largest gold exporter in Africa. There are seven active gold mines and 285 prospecting
permits have been issued. The mining sector is a major driving force in the growth of internal
energy demand(AfDB and Government Agencies, 2015).

4
On average, between 2000 and 2012, Mali experienced strong economic growth, averaging 5%
yearly accompanied by a modest increase in GDP per capita (from 380 USD to 476 USD at
constant 2005 prices, or from USD 835 to USD 1046 in Purchasing Power Parity terms). In 2011,
economic growth reduced to 2%; the following year it was -1.18%; and in 2013 and 2014, it started
to be positive again (around 5%). Poverty indicators improved and the headcount ratio at the
national poverty line passed from 56% to 44% between 2000 and 2010, while the respective
poverty-gap measure passed from 25.8% to 16.4%(AfDB and Government Agencies, 2015).
Despite economic growth, Mali remains a country with severe poverty and low human
development indicators. Mali has made a lot of progress in recent years but major inadequacies in
access to basic services and infrastructures have to be addressed. The current Growth and Poverty
Reduction Strategy (CSCRP 2012-2017) considers energy a key area for economic development,
gender equality and the environment. It also envisages a series of policies and projects to support
its development. The long-term vision for the energy sector, mentioned in the CSCRP, is to make
RE the main source of energy for the country. The strategy consists of developing new RE,
reducing the share of thermal generation and developing energy access for all.

II. Energy Sector Profile

a. Energy sector description

The primary energy supply in Mali is largely based on biomass (78%). It is the main energy source
for the majority of the population, while fossil fuels contribute to 21% of the energy supply and
hydro contributes 1% (excluding electricity trade). Access to electricity in 2010 was about 55% in
urban areas and 15% in rural areas, where it was almost inexistent a decade earlier. The latest data
for urban areas shows further improvement: in 2012 the access rate was 62%.
Malis oil and gas subsector is characterized by total dependence on petroleum imports, which
represented 26% of total imports in 2010. This is exposing the economy as a whole to the volatility
of fossil fuel prices. It also puts the economy under foreign reserves pressure, including the
development of the energy sector(Mali Energy Situation - energypedia, n.d. accessed in january
2016).

5
 Figure 2. Total Primary Energy Supply in 2000 and 2008 (Source: IRENA; 2012).

b. Current status of electricity sector

EDM SA is the utility that generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Mali. It has been owned
and managed by the state from its beginning in 1960, until 1994 when it delegated its management
to an external consortium. In 1997, the management contract was ended and the state committed
to privatization. In 2000, the utility was partially privatized to a consortium composed by Saur, a
Bouygues group subsidiary (47%), and Industrial Promotion Services, a subsidiary of the Aga
Khan Fund for Economic Development (13%). The hydroelectric plants were kept under state
ownership. The privatization lasted until 2005, when SAUR withdrew from the company selling
its shares to the other parties, and the state regained 66% control. The financial state of EDM SA
at the end of 2013 was critical due to the high level of indebtedness with banks and creditors, a
deficit in installed capacity, a shift towards thermal generation and low tariffs unable to recover
costs. The GoM has planned to act both through budget compensation of more than USD 126
million (in addition to an ECOWAS grant of USD 31 million) and by preparing a recovery plan
for the energy sector with contributions from the World Bank and IMF. Although the sector is
vertically integrated, the unbundling of the sector has been discussed extensively. However, no
decision had been taken at the time of writing (mid-2014)(Irena, 2014).

c. Electricity demand
Electricity sales from EDM SA increased consistently in recent years, surpassing 1,000 GWh in
2012 from 785 GWh in 2008 and averaging 6.6% growth per year. The number of clients also
increased from 202,000 to 290,000 during the same period. There is an unexpressed and largely
unsatisfied demand for electricity in Mali, both for domestic users and for large industrial
complexes, in particular in the mining sector. In 2012, the installed base reached 357 MW for the
central grid (but peak capacity is lower, 212 MW) and 68 MW for isolated centres. Industries and
mines, on the other hand, have an estimated installed base of 200 MW to satisfy their own demand.

6
The mining sector alone experienced significant growth passing from 47 MW to 136 MW between
2008 and 2011, exclusively from thermal power plants. The lack of reliable, lower-cost grid
electricity is considered a barrier for further development of the sector13. In 2013, the capacity
gap to meet demand was estimated at 111 MW, which represents 45% of needs. In 2014, the
estimated capacity gap was 32 MW, which represents 13.2% of needs. Keeping up with the
increase in demand presents a significant challenge for the sector. The GoMs ongoing energy
access program involves expansion of both grid and off-grid renewable and nonrenewable energy
sources to face growing national electricity demand. Going forward, increased regional integration
could help Mali meet its energy needs through electricity imports(Helio International, 2009).

Figure 3. Energy Demand & Production Projections (MW) On grid EDM SA (Source:
API; 2011).

d. Electricity distribution
The Malian electricity sector can be divided into four segments: the interconnected system,
isolated centres, captive generation by large consumers and the rural sector. The interconnected
system, owned and managed by EDM SA, is dominated by hydroelectricity, mainly generated by
the Manantali Dam (of which Mali owns 104 MW out of the total 200 MW) and Slingu (46
MW). Hydroelectricity represented 60% of all electricity produced in 2012, while the rest was
generated by diesel or heavy fuel power stations. Notably, in recent years, the Manantali Dam
encountered production problems and other important hydro plants (Slingu and Sotuba) are
experiencing delays in their 10-year maintenance schedules. Therefore, the share of
hydroelectricity in the interconnected system decreased to 44% in 2014 (Table 1). In 2013, the
generation profile of EDM was as follows: 21% of energy delivered was thermal, generated by

7
EDM; 26% was purchased thermal energy; 16% was hydroelectricity, generated by EDM; and,
37% was purchased hydroelectricity. The share of thermal energy in the energy mix is expected to
increase, between 2014 and 2017, to reach 62% (Table 1)(AfDB and Government Agencies, 2015).

Table 1. Mali Electricity Mix, interconnected system, including imports (Source: Mali -
2014 Provisional Electricity Recovery Plan)

To keep up with demand, EDM invested in two medium-sized thermal generation projects (heavy
fuel oil plants) inaugurated in 2010 for a total of 90 MW. The Malian grid is already regionally
interconnected to Mauritania, Senegal and Cote dIvoire. Further reinforcement of the connection
is planned to lower the cost of power in the medium term and to allow Mali to purchase more
power from its neighbours. There are few experiences with RE on the EDM SA grid, namely
hybrid power plants (diesel/photovoltaic solar). The first was inaugurated in February 2011 (216
KWp) and two others in early 2014. Solar production is expected to ramp up and account for
around 4% of total energy generated by 2020. The EDM SA also serves 22 isolated centres
exclusively with diesel power plants, for a total of 68 MW as of 2012 (Table 2(AfDB and
Government Agencies, 2015)).

Table 2. EDM SA Installed Base, 2008-2012 (Source EDM SA)

Large consumers in the mining and industrial sector also exclusively use thermal generation to
satisfy their needs (200 MW). Rural electrification uses a mix of diesel and PV. The volume of
EDM SAs fuel consumption tripled from 2005 to 2010. In 2010, the electricity sector of Mali was
around 50% dependant on fossil fuels16; this share is believed to have further increased since then.
If private captive generation is included, the Mali energy system has a clear prevalence of fossil
fuel generation. The economic growth experienced by the country in the first decade of the century
required a rapid increase of energy generation achieved through new thermal power plants17. With
a view to enhancing energy security, the GoM is keen to reduce fossil fuel imports and embark on
a low carbon emission development path for both grid and off-grid electrification schemes.
Electricity generation is vulnerable to climate variability since a significant portion of the on-grid
supply managed by EDM SA comes from hydro power plants. It is worth noting, however, that
the water system is made up of two large rivers, namely the Niger and Senegal, forming immense
watersheds (300,000 km2 for the Niger, and 155,000 km2 for the Senegal). The total flow potential

8
of these two river systems is estimated at 56,000,000,000 m3 per year, and the countrys estimated
hydro potential is, as of 2014, nearly 1 GW.
Energy access is low but growing. In 2010, the national rate was 27%; in urban areas, it was 55%,
and in rural areas, it was only 15%. The latter is low even compared to the African average rural
access rate of 22.7% but represents a strong increase from the 1% access rate of 2000. Mali has a
very low population density of 12 persons per Km, its villages are often widely dispersed and the
main grid is not yet expanding to all major cities. As a result, a parallel on-grid and off-grid energy
access expansion approach is preferred, allowing both local private energy service companies and
the national utility to sell electricity to customers in their respective concession areas. In fact, EDM
SA serves 22 isolated urban centres via independent grids using diesel generators, while in rural
areas, the Malian Rural and Domestic Energy Agency (AMADER) is pursuing a decentralized
approach by allowing generation by private local energy companies and local initiatives
(communities, women associations, NGOs).
When the World Bank-financed Household Energy and Universal Access Project (HEURA)
closed, it was estimated that 74,787 off-grid connections for households and public lighting had
been made, providing electricity access to more than 1,200,000 beneficiaries. In addition, 1,295
public and community institutions and centres had also been provided with off-grid electricity
access, including 218 schools and 168 health centres. Generation technologies introduced so far
essentially include diesel generators and associated transmission and distribution systems, but
there are also many SHSs and a few pilot hybrid solar/biofuel mini-grids. The total installed
capacity of mini-grids is around 15 MW, with less than 10% accounting for RE uses. Local energy
service providers in rural areas that are operating isolated fossil fuel generators and minigrids are
especially affected by rising and volatile fuel prices, considerable fuel transport costs inside Mali
and, in rural villages, environmental pollution (GHG emissions, noise pollution). Fuel charges
currently amount to up to 75-80% of operational expenditures for local energy service providers
in rural areas(Helio International, 2009).

e. Traditional / Domestic energy

Energy consumption is dominated by traditional biomass sources. Fuel wood the most important
source of household energy21 - is derived from the countrys forests, whose capacity is estimated
at nearly 33 million hectares, with 520 million m3 of standing trees. The consumption of fuelwood
and charcoal increased steadily, reaching a yearly growth rate of 2.62% and 7% between 2000 and
2006, respectively22. In a country vulnerable to climate change and where the degradation of land
and natural resources constitutes a major problem, fuelwood cannot provide an adequate response
to growing energy needs. Uncontrolled logging has resulted in the implementation of a Domestic
Energy Framework as well as the Forestry Code and Electrification Master Plan, a set of reforms
aimed at preserving the forest resource. AMADER has the mandate to handle domestic energy
projects, in addition to rural electrification. The implementation of a fuelwood supply and control
system has fostered the organization of the commercial industry (logging, transportation, and
distribution), further translating into the creation of the Rural Wood Market system. To date, the
long-term sustainability of these markets is still challenged by the existence of parallel and
uncontrolled markets. Pressure on the countrys forests and wood markets will continue to be high
if no alternative, sustainable and affordable energy sources are introduced. This is particularly true
for rural areas where energy sources are needed that are in synergy with potentials for productive

9
energy uses and employment creation. Additionally, the World Bank has been assisting AMADER
in mainstreaming gender issues into its projects and creating a gender energy action plan that
focuses on:
1) strengthening the gender desk within AMADER;
2) mainstreaming gender into monitoring and evaluating AMADER projects;
3) community level training;
4) identification of new technologies, best practices and sustainable focal points;
5) solutions to the removal of barriers; 6) communication and information sharing; and
7) capacity building and training of relevant organizations.
Other relevant projects on gender and domestic energy include the installation of Multifunctional
Platforms, with UNDP support, and more than 400,000 improved cook stoves, under the
framework of the World Bank Household Energy and Universal Access program(AfDB and
Government Agencies, 2015).

III. Renewable Energy Resources

Mali has a high and largely unexploited potential for RE sources and vast unexpressed and
unsatisfied energy needs from a widely dispersed population. Biomass is the primary energy
source used in Mali, although the modalities in which it is collected and used are often informal
and traditional. Hydro is the only large-scale RE deployed; solar technology is very promising but
still has low uptake.

a. Solar Energy
Mali is in one of the regions in the world with higher solar potential. Average solar radiation in
the country is well distributed over the national territory with an estimated 5-7 kWh/m/day and a
daily sun lighting duration of 7-10 hours. The countrys solar radiation is stronger in the desert
areas of the north (Fig.4). Solar technology is particularly suited for granting energy access to
remote and isolated populations. Despite the potential, the penetration of solar technology is still
low and almost all installed capacity is from independent solar installations. No data is available
on solar thermal deployments(Nygaard et al., 2012).

10
 Figure 4: Solar Radiation in Mali

b. Hydropower
The inventory of hydroelectric sites helped to identify about 10 sites mainly situated on the Niger
and Senegal River with total estimated power of around 1,150 MW and an annual average energy
generation of about 5,000 GWh. Of this potential, about 250 MW have been developed so far:
Selingu and Sotuba Hydro Power Plants on the Niger River, Manantali Hydro Power Plant on the
Senegal River (whose output is shared with Senegal and Mauritania). In addition, the Felou Hydro
Power Plant on the Senegal River is currently been upgraded from 0.6 MW to 60 MW with joint
support from World Bank and European Investment Bank. Further large scale hydro power plants
are under evaluation by IFC, including Kenie (42 MW). Among the potential mini and micro-
hydro power sites identified, five represent potential mini-hydro power investments. There are also
many sites for micro-hydro power plants(Hermann, Miketa, & Fichaux, 2014).

11
 c. Biomass / Biofuels
Biomass is the most widely used form of energy in Mali. Despite the relatively fragile ecosystem,
the resource is abundant and includes
in terms of fuel wood, about 33 million hectares with a standing volume of 520 million
cubic metres and a weighted productivity in the entire country of about 0.86 cubic
metre/ha/year;
several million tonnes of agricultural residues and plant waste;
an overall annual production capacity of 2,400,000 litres of alcohol since 1997; and
about 2000 hectares of jatropha plantations for sustainable bio-fuel production.
Opportunities also exist to develop the capacity of sustainable biomass and biofuel uses,
giving the strong agricultural base of the economy. In particular opportunities to scale up
biofuel projects, diversifying Jatropha uses for household electrification and to power
productive uses for agricultural businesses in rural areas (such as grinders and de-huskers)
could be explored further. A specific atlas to estimate the potential of agricultural residues
that can be developed for energy generation is under finalisation(Kristensen, Birch-
Thomsen, Rasmussen, Rasmussen, & Traor??, 2014).
In the cropped area, the agricultural residues are potential sources of biomass for energy uses, and
since grain/residue-ratios are known, these may be estimated from national production statistics.
Annual grain production reached 3.4 and 3.9 mill. t/year in 2005 and 2008, respectively, while the
straw-to-grain ratio varies between 1 and 2, the most common crops, leading to a figure for straw
production in the order of 5 mill. t/year. However, agricultural residues such as rice straw are used
for other purposes and cannot be assumed to be available without imposing costs on other
production systems, such as livestock production, or on the environment. In addition, inter-annual
variations, e.g. due to rainfall, are substantial. If a high share of residues is used for cattle fodder,
the absolute size of the remaining share will vary even more. Finally, agricultural residues need to
be present in a certain spatial concentration to be economically exploitable. This implies that straw
from irrigated rice cultivation may be the most economically attractive possibility.
The 2008 National Strategy for the Development of Biofuels identifies two biofuels with great
potential: ethanol, for which commercial expansion is already ongoing; and Jatropha oil derived
from a widespread local plant whose seeds can be pressed and produce quality oil that is easily
compatible with diesel engines. Jatropha is a robust plant that can grow in semi-arid climates with
little or no maintenance. Its potential in Mali is considerable and, besides its uses in rural areas,
there are ambitious plans for its development and blending with fossil fuels for transport. A
research paper from the World Bank finds that the development of Jathropha biofuels would be
beneficial for both macroeconomic and distributional aims if the plants were to be developed on
idle lands, i.e. not displacing other crops or forests25. The UNEP Risoe Center conducted a study
to estimate the potential of other agricultural residues (rice straw, residues from sugar production
and cotton stalks), finding, in some cases, substantive amounts of raw material that can be used to
feed biomass power plants instead of being burned26.

12
 Figure5: Biomass potential (Source MODIS data 2006).

d. Wind Energy
Wind energy potential is present in some regions of Mali. In the Sahelian and Saharan zones, the
annual average wind speed is estimated at 3 m/s to 7 m/s. The UNEP Risoe Center developed a
numerical windmapping exercise. It concluded that wind resources are relatively low but that
under certain conditions they may be economically feasible, i.e. at favourably exposed sites, given
enhanced winds and where practical utilization is possible (given grid connection or replacement
or augmentation of diesel-based electricity systems). For the moment, there is no penetration of
wind technology beside pilot projects and small water pumping.
Figure.6 shows the annual mean simulated wind for Mali at 50 m above surface level. These maps
give an overview impression of the variation of wind resources in space. However, a word of
warning, for any location on the map, one would not necessarily expect to have measured the same
mean wind speed indicated by the map. This is because the map has been created using a surface
description at 7.5 km resolution. In reality, the surface will be full of details in surface elevation
and surface roughness. For example, small hills and forests, pertaining to elevation and surface

13
roughness details, respectively, will not be resolved. The annual mean wind speed at 50 m above
surface level as it would be for flat terrain with a uniform roughness of 0.03 m was also calculated,
i.e. when the local effects of resolved surface elevation and roughness change are removed. This
map is useful because it shows the mesoscale influence on wind resource, i.e. the variation of
resource due to phenomena other than local orographic speed-up and roughness change(Badger et
al., 2012).

Figure6 Annual mean simulated wind speed at 50m

IV. Existing Renewable Energy Technologies

Mali has a high and largely unexploited potential for RE sources and vast unexpressed and
unsatisfied energy needs from a widely dispersed population. Biomass is the primary energy
source used in Mali, although the modalities in which it is collected and used are often informal
and traditional. Hydro is the only large-scale RE deployed; solar technology is very promising but
still has low uptake.

14
In the past 15 years, Mali has begun to harness this potential through mainly small scale
installations and appliances, targeting all available renewable energy sources and building the
capacity of involved actors. While large hydro projects have been under implementation for many
decades in Mali, a considerable development and testing of small scale renewable energy
applications took place over the past 15 years. These pilot schemes and various projects have
yielded the following results:
Solar: Various small scale solar thermal and PV applications have been tested and adopted to local
conditions for various uses (lighting, pumping, refrigeration, cooking, drying in farming or fruit
production, heating in health centres and in households, solar home systems for households and
community institutions, etc.). However, only a few of them have sufficient scale and/or installed
capacity to providing quality electricity supply to households and promote productive energy uses
to a wider range of appliances relying on electricity supply;
Hydro: A few mini-hydro projects have been under implementation for the past few years,
managed by the utility EDM (such as the 5.7 MW Sotuba Hydro Power Plant on the Niger River).
Further sites for mini and micro hydro power plants have been identified and feasibility studies
are proposed as part of the SREP Program.
Biomass/biofuel: Various biomass uses have been introduced and tested in Mali, some with mixed
results in the longer term, such as domestic or community managed biogas projects. Wastes and
residues are used at both domestic and community level for composting, but mainly in agro-
industrial plants such as the Malian Textile Development Company and co-generation plants using
sugarcane or rice residues in the Niger zone; community level bio-ethanol production using
sugarcane and biodiesel or pure vegetable oil are under implementation (currently, the ethanol
produced is mainly used for industrial and pharmaceutical products).
Wind: For the moment, wind power is mainly used for water pumping (generator systems are few
and have low power output)(AfDB and Government Agencies, 2015).

Table 3. Off-Grid RE characteristics (Source: SREP-IP)

15
Conclusion

The emerging of the renewable energies represents an exceptional opportunity for the energy mix and
the development of the country. However, the exploitation and development of this resources remains
insufficient due lack of financial problem. The main challenge remains to satisfy the increasing energy
demand without exacerbating social, economic and environmental problems.
Like many others country the government engage to achieve the goal of environmental sustainability,
energy security, and energy equity in the long term

Develop and implement a proactive policy for energy management and saving
Ensure proactive monitoring of the supply/demand balance for the electricity system.
Intensify rational management methods for fuelwood.
Promote research and development, training and supervision of stakeholders.
Promote small and medium sized enterprises and technology transfer in the energy sector.
Improve governance in the energy sector.
Increase the share of the national budget given over to building of energy infrastructure.

16
References
https://energypedia.info/wiki/Mali_Energy_Situation accessed January 2016
AfDB and Government Agencies. (2015). Mali country profile.
Badger, J., Kamissoko, F., Rasmussen, M. O., Larsen, S., Guidon, N., Hansen, L. B.,
Nygaard, I. (2012). Estimation of wind and solar resources in Mali. Retrieved from
www.frsemali.org
Economic Community of West African States. (2015). ECOWAS ENERGY EFFICIENCY
POLICY ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF ECOWAs energy efficiency Policy.
Helio International. (2009). Energy Systems: Mali, (33), 141.
Hermann, S., Miketa, A., & Fichaux, N. (2014). Estimating the Renewable Energy Potential in
Africa, IRENA-KTH working paper.
Irena. (2014). A Renewable Energy Roadmap, (June).
Kristensen, S. B. P., Birch-Thomsen, T., Rasmussen, K., Rasmussen, L. V., & Traor??, O.
(2014). Cassava as an energy crop: A case study of the potential for an expansion of cassava
cultivation for bioethanol production in southern mali. Renewable Energy, 66, 381390.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.12.021
Mali Energy Situation - energypedia. (n.d.).
Nygaard, I., Nrgrd, P., Dewilde, L., Badger, J., Mads Olander Rasmussen, L. B. H., Ouattara,
O., & Famakan Kamissoko, Alhousseini Issa Maiga, Souleymane Diarra, N. C. (2012).
Screening of feasible applications of wind and solar energy in Mali: Assessment using the
solar and wind atlas for Mali.

Appendices
Main stakeholders websites and contacts
Government of Mali http://www.primature.gov.ml
Minister of Energy http://www.mmee.gov.ml
National Energy Directory http://www.mmee.gov.ml/dne.php
Energy and Water Regulatory Commission http://goo.gl/4y3hOL
National Biofuels Agency http://anadeb-mali.org
Rural and Domestic Energy Agency http://www.amadermali.com
Electricit du Mali SA http://www.edm-sa.com.ml

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