Page 26 - Energize April 2021

TECHNICAL

Power developments in Africa

Compiled by Roger Lilley, Now Media

Solar-plus-storage hybrid at Mali gold mine Zimbabwe to get nuclear power?

Germany’s BayWa r.e. and Suntrace have participated in the commissioning of an Zimbabwe has approved a Memorandum
off-grid hybrid system combining a 30 MW solar farm with a 15,4 MWh battery-based of Understanding with the Russian state-
energy storage system at the Fekola gold mine in Mali. The new plant will lead to owned company, State Atomic Energy
the shut-down of three heavy fuel oil (HFO) generators during daytime hours. The Corporation for high-level cooperation
mine, which operates 24 hours a day, relies on six HFO generators. The hybrid was in the use of nuclear energy. In 2019,
successfully integrated with the conventional energy solution, while the solar plant Zimbabwe joined the global Atomic
should be completed by the end of June. Energy Agency (IAEA) for uranium
enrichment. This has been necessitated
by a dire shortage of electricity as the
Tender for five solar-powered Giant transformers destined country only produces 650 MW against
mini-grids for Africa a national demand of 1700 MW. The
anticipated cooperation in the use of
Belgian development agency Enabel Two giant transformers, with power nuclear energy for peaceful purposes will
has issued a tender for the design, ratings of 500 000 kVA and a voltage strengthen the energy mix and provide
procurement, and construction of class of 400 kV, and weighing 348 t alternative sources of energy which
five mini-grids in Mozambique. The each, from WEG’s factory in Brazil, Zimbabwe needs.
solar power plants have an expected will be incorporated into the electricity
generational capacity ranging from 75 to transmission system in the southern Floating solar PV
230 kW. Lots 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the planned region of the African continent. The
solar-powered mini-grids are expected units will help to reduce energy Kenya’s first floating solar system has
to be pre-assembled containerised shortages in the region. The first unit is been installed on one of the reservoirs
solutions, while Lot 4 might be in a scheduled to ship in April of this year at Rift Valley Roses farm in Naivasha,
brick building. All lots should include a and the second in May. They will take Kenya. The system has a capacity of
battery energy storage system, a diesel about 60 days to reach the unspecified 69 kW and will allow the flower farm
generator, and a water supply system. final destination in Africa. to save energy costs and reduce CO2
emissions. The energy produced by
the solar system is solely for self-
EPC sought for new solar project
consumption and is not fed back into
the grid. The project is supported by
Diversified resources firm, RioZim, is in the process of selecting an EPC (engineering, Germany as part of the Renewable
procurement, and construction) contractor for its 178 MW solar project. According to Energy Solutions Programme of the
RioZim, the solar project will commence once an energy uptake agreement has been German Energy Solutions Initiative and
completed with the Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC). The company was financed by private investors.
obtained independent power producer (IPP) licenses for the solar power projects for
each operating location. Although the country has sufficient coal reserves to last over
100 years, pressure to end the use of coal as an energy source is growing. Cyclone-resistant PV mounting
structure solution

PV and batteries to cut islands’ Solar to power service stations
PV projects, with a total capacity
reliance on diesel in Ghana of 6 MW, will be installed in various
places in Madagascar. During the
Two new solar power plants, built on Fuel retailer Puma Energy has launched cyclone season, wind speeds of higher
remote outer islands of the Seychelles, eleven solar projects at its service than 60 m/s have been recorded.
are part of a larger project to provide stations and a further three at terminals To meet the challenge, Antai Solar
clean, reliable energy. The projects in Ghana. These power systems are part adopted a concrete foundation with
also help to cut reliance on diesel and of the company’s wider business plan an aluminium mounting system, using
support the country’s efforts to boost to roll out renewable energy projects measurements calculated to ensure
its tourism sector. The 150 kW solar to reduce its own carbon footprint and the structure will cope with cyclonic
system on Astove should cut diesel support commercial customers as they weather. Madagascar receives over
consumption from 65 000 l/pa year seek to decarbonise and reduce their 2800 hours of sunshine per year, with
to under 5000. The 220 kW plant on carbon impact. The 14 projects have solar radiation ranging from 1500
Farquhar has battery storage of a total energy capacity of 422 kW and to 2100 kWh/m . At present, most
2
700 kWh and will cut diesel use from associated battery storage of 224 kWh, of Madagascar’s renewable energy
95 000 l/pa to 6000. enough to meet the sites’ energy needs. potential remains unharnessed.

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