Gambia seeks to assess how solar can be combined with its mini-grids
Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has issued a tender to select companies to conduct feasibility studies to assess the country’s potential for solar and hybridized PV projects in mini-grids and close to existing power plants.
Access Power gets financing for 50 MW PV project in Nigeria
The $1.65 million loan will be used to co-finance a 50 MW solar facility under development in Nigeria’s Kaduna State. The company expect to reach financial close for the project by the end of this year.
CJIC starts construction of Kenya’s first large-scale PV plant
The 50 MW Garissa solar park will be built with the support of the Chinese government. The plant will rely on 210,210 solar modules provided by Jinko Solar.
Nigerian government inks deals for 120 MW of solar
Nigeria’s Ministry of Power has signed two put/call option agreements with local solar developers Afrinegia Nigeria Limited and CT Cosmos Nigeria Limited. The two companies are planning to build two PV plants with a combined capacity of 120 MW.
Strategic siting can boost solar development in Africa, says Berkeley Lab
A report from U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) assesses the wind and solar potential of Africa. According to the study, the two technologies can play a major role in the energy economy of the continent, especially if strategic siting and international interconnections are implemented.
GreenWish Partners taps into Nigeria’s solar potential with $280m investment
The Paris-based private renewable power producer focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa has announced it is to invest $280 million in new PV power plants in Nigeria.
RMI calls for ‘action’ on Africa’s PV minigrid market
Solar-powered minigrids could account for a greater slice of sub-Saharan Africa’s $740 million off-grid market, but progress is still needed throughout the region in terms of policy, financing and commercial services, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) says in a new report.
Burkina Faso: citizens, film festival and country go solar
Financing for two new large-scale PV plants, a 33 MW PV plant under construction and small installations indicate the African country embraces solar technology in order to satisfy its electricity needs.
African Development Bank finances Mali’s first large-scale PV project with $25 million
The government of Mali has secured further funds to build the country’s first large-scale PV project. The 33 MW Segou Solar PV Project will sell power to local utility under a 25-year PPA.
EU supports Africa’s renewable energy and solar development with €300 million
The European Commission has decided to support the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative with €300 million ($317.7 million). The funds are intended to leverage up to €4.8 million ($5 billion) and to help finance 19 renewable energy projects totaling about 1.8 GW.
