Startimes_DARES

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StarTimes Energy Nigeria Ltd (“StarTimes Energy” or the “Company”) is a subsidiary of the StarTimes Group (“StarTimes”), a Chinese media company with a leading market share in Africa. StarTimes is expanding into the renewable energy business as a natural extension of its TV business in rural Africa. The Company completed its first mini-grid project in Nigeria in 2024 and now with seven mini-grids projects under construction.The proposed IFC investment consists of a revolving loan of up to US$20 million to StarTimes Energy to part finance the Company’s 4-year capital expenditure plan to construct and operate 95 mini-grids solar sites with an aim to connect 131,076 off-grid consumers by 2028 (the “Project”). The mini-grids sites will comprise i) installed photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems with capacities ranging from 50 - 800kWp capacity; ii) lithium battery storage with capacities ranging from 200 - 1,645Wh capacity; iii) diesel generator sets with capacities ranging from 60 - 500kVA capacity and; iv) local low voltage power distribution network without transformers. The loan shall be secured entirely through an assignment of performance-based grants due to StarTimes Energy under the World Bank (WB) financed Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (“DARES”) project. The DARES project builds on the achievements of the WB financed Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), which has supported the establishment of 175 mini-grids and the sale of over a million Solar Home Systems, through which more than 7.8 million Nigerians have gained access to electricity. Proceeds from IFC financing will only be used for the construction and operation of the 95 mini grids. Land for the mini-grids is acquired in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank-approved Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) developed under the DARES Platform, which serves as a core E&S instrument for projects implemented through this program. The mini-grids will be constructed in villages, on small plots of land ranging from 0.15 hectares up to 10 hectares, purchased through willing buyer-willing seller agreements. Construction at each site is expected to span four months and both construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) will be managed by StarTimes Energy.