Northern Africa

The recent COP28 meeting resulted in targets to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, and demand for solar power is expected to continue to grow amid a market that is transitioning toward more advanced technologies. Here we examine the outlook for heterojunction (HJT) solar solutions and the types of projects that are already showcasing their potential in major regions.

Greece has grand plans for an interconnector network that runs from the Middle East through to the heart of Europe. pv magazine examines the latest developments on the road to a Mediterranean super grid and what it might mean for the regions involved.

Researchers in China have developed a photovoltaic cold storage system that is reportedly able to improve refrigeration capacity and ice storage rate. The system is said to ensure a stable cooling system operation for the refrigeration needs of agricultural products.

In this edition of the Weekend Read, we turn to Egypt. The gigawatt-scale Benban project showcases the North African country’s solar potential, and premium prices for gas exports make the case for a more diverse energy mix. A nation with grand renewables targets – but slow installation rates – may finally be weaning itself off fossil fuel resources.

Engie has told pv magazine that the developers of the H2Sines.Rdam installation have decided to terminate the project to produce hydrogen in Portugal and send it to the Netherlands, while Fortescue said it has opened an electrolyzer production facility in Australia.

Scientists in the Middle East designed a flexible two-terminal organic/CIGS tandem solar cell for wearable applications. The device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.89 V, a short-circuit current density of 17.55 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 82.79%.

The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has added a high-resolution solar data set covering Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East on its Renewable Energy Data Explorer tool.

The Algerian authorities have announced the developers selected for a 1 GW tender launched by the nation’s state-owned utility in late 2021, as well as the winners of a 2 GW tender launched in February 2023. The projects will range in size from 80 MW to 220 MW.

ACWA Power’s preliminary analysis of a leak in the hot molten salts tank at its 150 MW solar plant in Morocco indicates a forced outage until November this year.

Morocco has allocated 1 million hectares for green hydrogen projects as part of its national energy strategy. The country initially plans to provide 300,000 hectare to private investors, divided into lots of 10,000 to 30,000 hectares.