Namibia and Botswana mull 20-year, 4.5 GW solar push
The governments of the two African nations are considering deploying huge volumes of generation capacity over two decades. The project, still in its initial phase, is being supported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Energy.
Kenyan government blamed for sluggish progress of solar
Two solar farms with 80 MW of generation capacity tendered in 2017 are being built and will be commissioned this year but another two, allocated at the same time, are no nearer construction. Kenya, however, has been touted as the site of Africa’s first wind-solar-storage hybrid project.
Indonesia’s vast rooftop potential
The nation’s roofs could host up to 655 GWp of solar generation capacity a recent solar mapping exercise found. But a wider understanding of the benefits of solar, combined with incentives, would be required to unlock a potentially transformative energy development.
Ethiopia aims to set up formula for the calculation of mini-grid tariffs
Ethiopia is currently trying to set up a methodology for the calculation of electricity tariffs for mini-grid systems. Should the government’s work come to fruition, it can provide much-needed certainty to mini-grid investors.
Togo launches first large scale solar project
After joining the Scaling Solar initiative in mid-July, the sub-Saharan country has revealed where its first 30 MW PV plant will be built.
Nigeria aims to lower solar electricity tariffs agreed three years ago
In July 2016 Nigeria signed power purchase agreements with 14 utility scale PV projects with a total generation capacity of 1,075 MW. None of the projects has reached financial close and pv magazine has learned the government wants to reduce the agreed tariffs.
Myanmar issues tender for rooftop PV
The nation is targeting an unspecified capacity of solar PV systems to be installed on households and public facilities across several of its regions. The successful projects will be jointly financed by the World Bank and the government of Myanmar.
Engie secures financing for 60 MW of solar in Senegal
A €38 million loan will be provided by Proparco, the International Finance Corporation and the European Investment Bank. A PV plant in Tauba will sell power for €0.0380/kWh and a second facility in Kahone which will sell electricity for €0.0398.
Morocco opens 230 MW solar tender
The Moroccan agency for sustainable energy is pre-qualifying developers for the Noor Midelt II project, a solar complex incorporating CSP and PV elements.
Total Eren breaks ground on 128 MW of solar capacity in Kazakhstan
The Kazakh solar market is steadily growing amid investment from regional development banks and independent power producers. Total Eren said the 128 MW of generation capacity is just the first of its projects in central Asia.
