81 FR 78697 - Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group

Executive Office of the President

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 216 (November 8, 2016)

Page Range		78697-78700
FR Document		2016-27156

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 216 (Tuesday, November 8, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 8, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 78697-78700]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27156]



[[Page 78695]]

Vol. 81

Tuesday,

No. 216

November 8, 2016

Part III





The President





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Executive Order 13746--Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa 
Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa 
Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 216 / Tuesday, November 8, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 78697]]

                Executive Order 13746 of November 3, 2016

                
Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa 
                Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub-
                Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the 
                President's Power Africa Working Group

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United 
                States to partner, consult, and coordinate with African 
                governments, bilateral and multilateral partners, the 
                private sector, and civil society to expand access to 
                electricity and increase electricity generation in Sub-
                Saharan Africa, in both urban and rural areas. Through 
                the Power Africa initiative (Power Africa), we aim to 
                double access to power in Sub-Saharan Africa by adding 
                30,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity and 60 million new 
                household and business connections by 2030, and in so 
                doing, leapfrog to cleaner forms of energy and foster 
                inclusive economic growth and opportunity across Sub-
                Saharan Africa.

                On June 30, 2013, my Administration launched Power 
                Africa, a new initiative to double access to power in 
                Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than two-thirds of the 
                population is without electricity, and more than 85 
                percent of those living in rural areas lack access to 
                electricity. In its initial phase, Power Africa aimed 
                to add more than 10,000 MW of cleaner, more efficient 
                electricity generation capacity and to increase 
                electricity access by at least 20 million new 
                households and commercial entities with on-grid, mini-
                grid, and off-grid solutions. Power Africa builds on 
                Africa's enormous power potential, including extensive 
                clean geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy 
                resources, as well as vast oil and gas reserves. Power 
                Africa works with countries to develop resources 
                responsibly, build out power generation, transmission, 
                and distribution, and expand the reach of mini-grid and 
                off-grid solutions. Power Africa brings to bear a wide 
                range of tools from across the Federal Government and 
                more than 130 public and private sector partners to 
                support investment in Africa's energy sector. Power 
                Africa provides coordinated support to help African 
                partners expand their power networks and access to 
                electricity, including through policy and regulatory 
                best practices, institutional capacity building, pre-
                feasibility support, grants, long-term financing, 
                insurance, guarantees, credit enhancements, and 
                technical assistance.

                On August 5, 2014, during the U.S.-Africa Leaders 
                Summit, my Administration affirmed that Power Africa is 
                intended to reach across Sub-Saharan Africa, and 
                tripled Power Africa's goals. Power Africa is now 
                working toward adding 30,000 MW of new, cleaner 
                electricity generation capacity and increasing 
                electricity access by at least 60 million new 
                connections. On January 28, 2016, my Administration, in 
                coordination with Power Africa partners, launched the 
                Power Africa Roadmap, which lays out a concrete plan 
                for Power Africa to meet its ambitious goals by 2030.

                The Electrify Africa Act of 2015, enacted on February 
                8, 2016 (Public Law 114-121) (the ``Act''), calls for 
                the development of a strategy to add at least 20,000 MW 
                of electrical power and promote first-time access to 
                power and power services for at least 50 million people 
                in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020 in both urban and rural 
                areas--an effort that directly supports and complements 
                Power Africa's goals. This order furthers the purposes 
                of the Act and the work that Power Africa has been 
                undertaking.

[[Page 78698]]

                Sec. 2. Establishment of the Coordinator for Power 
                Africa. The United States Agency for International 
                Development (USAID) shall serve as the lead agency to 
                facilitate the implementation of Power Africa and 
                associated activities across the United States 
                Government. The Administrator of USAID shall establish 
                the position of Coordinator for Power Africa within 
                USAID.

                Sec. 3. Power Africa Working Group. (a) There is hereby 
                established the Power Africa Working Group (Working 
                Group), co-chaired by the Coordinator for Power Africa 
                within USAID and a member of the National Security 
                Council (NSC) staff to be designated by the Assistant 
                to the President for National Security Affairs. The 
                Working Group shall serve as the multi-agency 
                coordinating and advisory body for the Federal 
                Government's efforts to identify, evaluate, prioritize, 
                and deliver assistance to energy projects across Sub-
                Saharan Africa in order to advance the energy access 
                and electricity generation goals of Power Africa and 
                promote policy cohesion across the Federal Government. 
                Through the Working Group, participating departments 
                and agencies shall provide advice and promote coherence 
                of United States Government positions on and assistance 
                for priority energy projects and policy reforms in 
                support of Power Africa.

                    (b) The Working Group shall consist of 
                representatives of the following executive branch 
                departments and agencies (Participating Agencies):

(i) the Department of State;

(ii) the Department of the Treasury;

(iii) the Department of Agriculture;

(iv) the Department of Commerce;

(v) the Department of Energy;

(vi) the Export-Import Bank of the United States;

(vii) the United States Agency for International Development;

(viii) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation;

(ix) the United States Trade and Development Agency;

(x) the Millennium Challenge Corporation;

(xi) the United States Army Corps of Engineers;

(xii) the Office of Management and Budget; and

(xiii) such other agencies as the Co-Chairs may designate or invite to 
participate, including the United States African Development Foundation.

                    (c) The Working Group may consult with non-United 
                States Government entities that participate in Power 
                Africa as bilateral, multilateral, private sector 
                partners and nongovernmental organizations to provide 
                input and advice to the United States Government, as 
                appropriate, regarding the implementation of Power 
                Africa.
                    (d) The Working Group may establish sub-groups 
                consisting exclusively of Working Group members or 
                their designees, as appropriate, such as one for each 
                of the three pillars of the Power Africa Roadmap: (1) 
                megawatts, (2) connections, and (3) unlocking energy 
                sector potential.
                    (e) The Working Group shall be supported by the 
                Office of the Coordinator for Power Africa within 
                USAID.

                Sec. 4. Mission and Functions of the Working Group. The 
                Working Group, as may be necessary and appropriate to 
                carry out this order, shall:

                    (a) Ensure efficient and effective coordination of 
                energy access activities in Sub-Saharan Africa among 
                Participating Agencies.
                    (b) Identify, prioritize, and evaluate potential 
                Power Africa projects, regulatory and policy reforms, 
                and programmatic focus areas, including maximizing 
                deployment of and access to renewable energy.
                    (c) Identify country and project specific obstacles 
                to the development of the electricity sector, including 
                financial and technical assistance needs

[[Page 78699]]

                and capacity building needs, and identify opportunities 
                for Participating Agencies to deploy their respective 
                tools and best practices to advance needed reforms and 
                accelerate the completion of Power Africa projects.
                    (d) Enhance coordination among Participating 
                Agencies to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness 
                of United States Government development assistance and 
                other development finance tools as related to Power 
                Africa priorities.
                    (e) Facilitate information sharing and coordination 
                of partnerships between Participating Agencies and 
                African governments, the private sector, development 
                partners, and bilateral and multilateral partners to 
                help advance Power Africa's goals.
                    (f) Identify appropriate courses of action to 
                liaise with host governments to advance regulatory and 
                policy reforms, as well as energy transactions, related 
                to Power Africa.
                    (g) Identify best practices for Participating 
                Agencies to coordinate their engagement with 
                development partners, including bilateral donors, 
                development finance institutions, and multilateral 
                development banks on energy access issues, to ensure 
                that Power Africa's tools are deployed in a way that is 
                complementary to and leverages the impact of United 
                States Government resources.
                    (h) Meet with private sector partners, as 
                appropriate, to review Power Africa projects and 
                activities, and to solicit input regarding technical, 
                policy, financial or political, obstacles that partners 
                are encountering in the energy sector across Sub-
                Saharan Africa.
                    (i) Meet with bilateral and multilateral 
                development partners, as appropriate, to coordinate 
                country-specific and regional energy access policy 
                agendas, coordinate deployment of financial resources 
                and technical expertise to identify and accelerate 
                Power Africa projects and activities, and review 
                project pipelines.
                    (j) Monitor and periodically evaluate Power Africa 
                projects and activities to measure the effectiveness of 
                United States Government assistance and other 
                development finance tools in achieving Power Africa's 
                electricity generation and access goals, and to share 
                lessons learned. These evaluations may recommend 
                reforms to facilitate support for future projects and 
                activities, and to increase the Working Group's 
                effectiveness.

                Sec. 5. Partnering with African Private Sector 
                Companies. I hereby direct Participating Agencies to 
                facilitate as appropriate, to the maximum extent 
                possible under the law, the participation of local and 
                regional companies in power, renewable energy, and 
                climate change projects in low-income countries in 
                Africa, including through the use of financing and risk 
                insurance, where appropriate.

                Sec. 6. Reporting. The Administrator of USAID, in 
                coordination with the Participating Agencies, shall 
                lead in the development of a report, to be transmitted 
                to the Congress pursuant to section 7 of the Act and 
                the Presidential Memorandum of August 3, 2016, 
                ``Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 4 and 
                Section 7 of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015,'' on 
                progress made toward achieving the comprehensive, 
                integrated, multiyear strategy that was transmitted to 
                the Congress on August 6, 2016, pursuant to section 4 
                of the Act, to encourage the efforts of countries in 
                Sub-Saharan Africa to implement national power 
                strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power 
                solutions to provide access to sufficient, reliable, 
                affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce 
                poverty and drive economic growth and job creation.

                Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the 
head thereof, or the status of that department or agency within the Federal 
Government; or

[[Page 78700]]

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with 
                applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    November 3, 2016.

[FR Doc. 2016-27156
Filed 11-7-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P

$78697 Federal Register Presidential Documents Vol. 81, No. 216 Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Title 3— Executive Order 13746 of November 3, 2016 The President Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Ex- pand Access to Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President’s Power Africa Working Group By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to partner, consult, and coordinate with African governments, bilateral and multilateral partners, the private sector, and civil society to expand access to electricity and increase electricity generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, in both urban and rural areas. Through the Power Africa initiative (Power Africa), we aim to double access to power in Sub-Saharan Africa by adding 30,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity and 60 million new household and business connections by 2030, and in so doing, leapfrog to cleaner forms of energy and foster inclusive economic growth and opportunity across Sub-Saharan Africa. On June 30, 2013, my Administration launched Power Africa, a new initiative to double access to power in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than two- thirds of the population is without electricity, and more than 85 percent of those living in rural areas lack access to electricity. In its initial phase, Power Africa aimed to add more than 10,000 MW of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity and to increase electricity access by at least 20 million new households and commercial entities with on-grid, mini- grid, and off-grid solutions. Power Africa builds on Africa’s enormous power potential, including extensive clean geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy resources, as well as vast oil and gas reserves. Power Africa works with countries to develop resources responsibly, build out power generation, trans- mission, and distribution, and expand the reach of mini-grid and off-grid solutions. Power Africa brings to bear a wide range of tools from across the Federal Government and more than 130 public and private sector partners to support investment in Africa’s energy sector. Power Africa provides coordi- nated support to help African partners expand their power networks and access to electricity, including through policy and regulatory best practices, institutional capacity building, pre-feasibility support, grants, long-term fi- nancing, insurance, guarantees, credit enhancements, and technical assist- ance. On August 5, 2014, during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, my Administra- tion affirmed that Power Africa is intended to reach across Sub-Saharan Africa, and tripled Power Africa’s goals. Power Africa is now working toward adding 30,000 MW of new, cleaner electricity generation capacity and increas- ing electricity access by at least 60 million new connections. On January 28, 2016, my Administration, in coordination with Power Africa partners, launched the Power Africa Roadmap, which lays out a concrete plan for Power Africa to meet its ambitious goals by 2030. The Electrify Africa Act of 2015, enacted on February 8, 2016 (Public Law 114–121) (the ‘‘Act’’), calls for the development of a strategy to add at mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with E0 least 20,000 MW of electrical power and promote first-time access to power and power services for at least 50 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020 in both urban and rural areas—an effort that directly supports and complements Power Africa’s goals. This order furthers the purposes of the Act and the work that Power Africa has been undertaking. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Nov 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\08NOE0.SGM 08NOE0$

$78698 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 216 / Tuesday, November 8, 2016 / Presidential Documents Sec. 2. Establishment of the Coordinator for Power Africa. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shall serve as the lead agency to facilitate the implementation of Power Africa and associated activities across the United States Government. The Administrator of USAID shall establish the position of Coordinator for Power Africa within USAID. Sec. 3. Power Africa Working Group. (a) There is hereby established the Power Africa Working Group (Working Group), co-chaired by the Coordinator for Power Africa within USAID and a member of the National Security Council (NSC) staff to be designated by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The Working Group shall serve as the multi- agency coordinating and advisory body for the Federal Government’s efforts to identify, evaluate, prioritize, and deliver assistance to energy projects across Sub-Saharan Africa in order to advance the energy access and elec- tricity generation goals of Power Africa and promote policy cohesion across the Federal Government. Through the Working Group, participating depart- ments and agencies shall provide advice and promote coherence of United States Government positions on and assistance for priority energy projects and policy reforms in support of Power Africa. (b) The Working Group shall consist of representatives of the following executive branch departments and agencies (Participating Agencies): (i) the Department of State; (ii) the Department of the Treasury; (iii) the Department of Agriculture; (iv) the Department of Commerce; (v) the Department of Energy; (vi) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (vii) the United States Agency for International Development; (viii) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (ix) the United States Trade and Development Agency; (x) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (xi) the United States Army Corps of Engineers; (xii) the Office of Management and Budget; and (xiii) such other agencies as the Co-Chairs may designate or invite to participate, including the United States African Development Foundation. (c) The Working Group may consult with non-United States Government entities that participate in Power Africa as bilateral, multilateral, private sector partners and nongovernmental organizations to provide input and advice to the United States Government, as appropriate, regarding the imple- mentation of Power Africa. (d) The Working Group may establish sub-groups consisting exclusively of Working Group members or their designees, as appropriate, such as one for each of the three pillars of the Power Africa Roadmap: (1) megawatts, (2) connections, and (3) unlocking energy sector potential. (e) The Working Group shall be supported by the Office of the Coordinator for Power Africa within USAID. Sec. 4. Mission and Functions of the Working Group. The Working Group, as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out this order, shall: (a) Ensure efficient and effective coordination of energy access activities in Sub-Saharan Africa among Participating Agencies. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with E0 (b) Identify, prioritize, and evaluate potential Power Africa projects, regu- latory and policy reforms, and programmatic focus areas, including maxi- mizing deployment of and access to renewable energy. (c) Identify country and project specific obstacles to the development of the electricity sector, including financial and technical assistance needs VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Nov 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\08NOE0.SGM 08NOE0$

$Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 216 / Tuesday, November 8, 2016 / Presidential Documents 78699 and capacity building needs, and identify opportunities for Participating Agencies to deploy their respective tools and best practices to advance needed reforms and accelerate the completion of Power Africa projects. (d) Enhance coordination among Participating Agencies to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States Government development assist- ance and other development finance tools as related to Power Africa prior- ities. (e) Facilitate information sharing and coordination of partnerships between Participating Agencies and African governments, the private sector, develop- ment partners, and bilateral and multilateral partners to help advance Power Africa’s goals. (f) Identify appropriate courses of action to liaise with host governments to advance regulatory and policy reforms, as well as energy transactions, related to Power Africa. (g) Identify best practices for Participating Agencies to coordinate their engagement with development partners, including bilateral donors, develop- ment finance institutions, and multilateral development banks on energy access issues, to ensure that Power Africa’s tools are deployed in a way that is complementary to and leverages the impact of United States Govern- ment resources. (h) Meet with private sector partners, as appropriate, to review Power Africa projects and activities, and to solicit input regarding technical, policy, financial or political, obstacles that partners are encountering in the energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa. (i) Meet with bilateral and multilateral development partners, as appro- priate, to coordinate country-specific and regional energy access policy agen- das, coordinate deployment of financial resources and technical expertise to identify and accelerate Power Africa projects and activities, and review project pipelines. (j) Monitor and periodically evaluate Power Africa projects and activities to measure the effectiveness of United States Government assistance and other development finance tools in achieving Power Africa’s electricity gen- eration and access goals, and to share lessons learned. These evaluations may recommend reforms to facilitate support for future projects and activities, and to increase the Working Group’s effectiveness. Sec. 5. Partnering with African Private Sector Companies. I hereby direct Participating Agencies to facilitate as appropriate, to the maximum extent possible under the law, the participation of local and regional companies in power, renewable energy, and climate change projects in low-income countries in Africa, including through the use of financing and risk insurance, where appropriate. Sec. 6. Reporting. The Administrator of USAID, in coordination with the Participating Agencies, shall lead in the development of a report, to be transmitted to the Congress pursuant to section 7 of the Act and the Presi- dential Memorandum of August 3, 2016, ‘‘Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 4 and Section 7 of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015,’’ on progress made toward achieving the comprehensive, integrated, multiyear strategy that was transmitted to the Congress on August 6, 2016, pursuant to section 4 of the Act, to encourage the efforts of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to sufficient, reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with E0 Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof, or the status of that department or agency within the Federal Government; or VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Nov 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\08NOE0.SGM 08NOE0$

Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:23:48
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:23:48

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Presidential Documents
FR Citation		81 FR 78697