Africa solar: competitive tenders or negotiated deals?
Given increasing activity in the solar PV sector in Africa, a critical question has emerged: should African states aim for competitive tenders or negotiated deals? This question was among those discussed at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) that took place last week in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cameroon to install more off-grid and grid-connected solar capacity
Bank of China has agreed to lend $123 million for the country’s solar rural electrification program, while its power utility is planning to build three PV plants with a combined capacity of 35 MW.
Zambia’s solar: mini grids and scaling solar projects pick up
Several sessions during last week’s Africa Energy Forum (AEF) depicted the dynamics of solar energy development in Zambia that is currently taking the form of mini grids as well as larger projects via the scaling solar program.
O&M business must get to scale
At the first day of the conference PV Asset Management and O&M Europe 2017, which winds up today in Hamburg, almost all the participants agreed on the fact that the business is becoming more and more complex, and that getting to scale may provide a path through a period of further consolidation.
Power Africa: focus on creating opportunities for USA exports
A working roundtable discussion on the USA’s commercial partnership with Africa depicts the changes in the American agency in the Trump administration era.
Ethiopia’s first 100 MW auction to conclude in June; scaling solar tender to follow in the summer
A panel discussion at the Africa Energy Forum concerning Ethiopia’s energy sector presented the country’s energy plan for the next five years, including solar energy. Positive and long awaited news has emerged.
IFC finances Mozambique’s first solar plant with $55 million
The 40 MW project, which is being developed by Norwegian developer Scatec along with investment fund KLP Norfund Investments, is the country’s first large-scale solar facility.
Namibia to host another large-scale PV plant
The 5 MW plant will be located at a cement factory near Otavi owned by local manufacturer Ohorongo Cement. The project is being developed by German independent power producer SunEQ four Investment.
Rapper Akon lights up Africa with solar
Akon, the platinum-selling rapper, is lighting up Africa with solar lighting and other products thanks to a reported $1 billion credit line with Chinese manufacturers and a skill for celebrity networking.
Israel’s Energiya Global to build Liberia’s first 10 MW plant; invest $1 billion to African PV
Liberia’s president has inked a deal with Israel’s Energiya Global that will see the Israeli company developing the African country’s first ever solar plant, a 10 MW PV facility. However, Energiya Global has even greater plans in Africa.
