Construction begins on 60 MW solar park in Malawi
The large-scale power plant is being built by JCM Matswani Solar Corp Limited. A 20-year PPA has been signed with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM).
Botswana issues tender for 12 IPP solar projects
Through the tender, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) is seeking independent power producers (IPPs) to provide more electricity connections within the African country. It joined the International Solar Alliance at the beginning of November.
Niger commissions first solar park
The 7 MW solar facility will sell power to local state-owned utility Nigelec. The project was developed with the support of the Indian government.
‘Renewables mini grids need good policy frameworks’
The International Renewable Energy Agency says Asia is offering the largest amount of people mini grid access, with the development of such systems mostly led by governments. Global installed capacity reached 308 MW at the end of 2017.
Ivory Coast announces another 66 MW solar plant
The project is expected to cost approximately 47.2 billion CFA (around $81.5 million), and to have an annual production capacity of 118 GWh.
Decentralized solar-plus-storage would fire sub-Saharan Africa
According to a UC Berkeley study, the falling costs of storage technologies will make it possible for Sub-Saharan countries to rely on decentralized systems based mainly on solar-plus-storage, bringing access to electricity to more than 600 million people.
Niger streamlines 20 MW solar project at diesel-fueled thermal plant
The solar plant has been declared a project of strategic interest to fast-track construction. It will be located at the 100 MW Gorou Banda thermal power station commissioned 18 months ago.
Ivory Coast gets financing for 37.5 MW solar plant
Funds totaling €36.7 million have been awarded by Germany’s development bank KfW and the European Union. The project is set to be located in Boundiali, in the northern part of the Sub-Saharan country.
Uganda plans for net metering, more off-grid solar
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of the Sub-Saharan country is currently seeking advice for its Decentralized Renewables Development Program, which includes an off-grid master plan for the electrification of islands on Lake Victoria and the creation of a pilot program for solar net metering.
World Bank to devote $1 billion to storage in developing countries
The Accelerating Battery Storage for Development program is intended to leverage US$4 billion in new investments, and to support projects for utility-scale solar parks with battery storage, off-grid systems, including mini-grids, and stand-alone batteries.
