Algeria launches solar energy cluster, names new energy minister
The new solar energy cluster will host small and medium-sized solar enterprises, as well as research institutes and local mining companies. Meanwhile, the Algerian government has named the former CEO of state-owned utility Sonelgaz as energy minister.
Africa: solar power and Indian bilateral trade key routes to prosperity, says AfDB president
African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina tells the media ahead of the bank’s Annual Meetings forum that Africa-India bilateral trade will reach $100bn by 2018, with solar power playing a prominent role in closer cooperation and boosting economic opportunities.
Tunisia launches tender for 70 MW of solar
The Tunisian government hopes to allocate 210 MW of wind and solar capacity through the tender. Bids for PV projects must be submitted by Nov. 15, 2017.
Egypt: German consortium plans 1 GW vertically integrated solar factory
A first agreement to start a feasibility study for the project, which also includes the construction of a giant solar plant, was signed in the presence of the country’s minister of energy Mohamed Shaker.
Algerian government expects reference price of $0.04/kWh for 4 GW solar tender
The Algerian Minister of Energy said that the reference price for the first round of the upcoming auction is not expected to surpass 4 DZD/kWh (approximately $0.04/kWh).
Norway’s oil producer Statoil eyes first investments in solar
The Norwegian oil company confirmed it is evaluating new business opportunities within solar. The company launched a $197 million fund dedicated to renewable energies in February 2016.
Aurés Solaire commissions Algeria’s second module factory
Algeria’s prime minister has inaugurated the country’s second solar module manufacturing facility in Batna. The French-Algerian module maker intends to double the factory’s capacity to 60 MW at a later stage.
Global installed PV capacity exceeds 300 GW, IEA PVPS
The world’s cumulative PV capacity had surpassed 303 GW at the of 2016, according to a report from IEA PVPS. Globally, solar power is now able to cover approximately 1.8% of power demand.
Scatec Solar secures PPA for 400 MW of solar plants in Egypt
The Norwegian solar developer has obtained a 25-year PPA for six PV power plants totaling 400 MW. The facilities will be located near Aswan in Upper Egypt.
Algeria adopts decree implementing tender for 4 GW of solar
Algeria’s government has published the long-awaited decree implementing the 4 GW solar auction in the country’s official journal. The decree provides more details on the upcoming bid for large-scale PV projects.
