Sub-Saharan Africa

All of the eight projects, planned for seven different regions, will be awarded a declaration of public utility. The new facilities are expected to improve the country’s power supply, which still relies heavily on fossil fuels and imports.

The U.S. President’s proclamation provides a path for specific products to apply for exemption from tariffs, which had been sought by both SunPower and the government of South Korea. Additionally, imports from a number of developing nations are exempt as long as import levels remain small.

The 50 MW solar plant will be located in Kita, western Mali, and will require an investment of around €77 million.

The announcement was made by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). The PPAs relate to 26 renewable energy projects, of which 12 totaling 813 MW are for large-scale PV plants selected in round 4 of the REIPPPP program.

The French utility will now partner with U.S.-based Off Grid Electric in Ghana.

The Ten Merina solar facility was built by Engie’s subsidiary, Solairedirect. The project was financed by French investment firm, Meridiam and Proparco.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, and EDF SA, the parent company of the EDF Group, to develop off-grid projects in sub-Saharan African countries.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) have announced that two solar PV projects – one located in Mauritius and the other in Rwanda – will be receiving $25 million in concessional loans from ADFD, one in Mauritius and one in Rwanda.

The Dutch-U.S. solar developer and the Israeli company are teaming up to construct 10 solar power plants with a capacity of 10 MW each at several university campuses in Ethiopia.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has proposed a “green pivot” for South Sudan, where solar energy could help decouple economic growth from the geopolitics of oil and gas. In a special report, it has identified three opportunities where solar could yield benefits. A donor-led transition is required.