Page 38 - Energize April 2022

TECHNICAL

Power developments in Africa

Compiled by Roger Lilley, Now Media

Seeking help with hydro-electric project Largest rooftop PV
installation in East Africa
Tembo Power, a Mauritius-based IPP, wants to accelerate the implementation of its projects in
Burundi. Partners are being sought to assist in the construction of two hydropower plants with Solarise Africa is commissioning one of the
a combined capacity of 22 MW. The 12,4 MW Sigu plant will harness the rapids of the Siguvyaye largest rooftop solar power plants in East
River in Bururi Province, southern Burundi. Dama, a 9,6 MW run-of-river plant, will be built on Africa. The 1,8 MW PV system, using 3334
the Dama River in Rumonge in the southwest of the country. The two hydropower projects, PV panels, will power a global player in
scheduled for financial close in 2023, will require an investment of $65 million. Kenya’s textile industry. The plant was built
by Premier Solar Solutions. The Kenyan
subsidiary of Starsight Premier Energy Group
Tenders open for new solar Renewables to reduce fuel carried out the project on behalf of Solarise
projects oil demand Africa, a South Africa-based provider of
solar energy to commercial and industrial
Mauritius’ state-owned Central Electricity British energy company Chariot is joining customers. The annual production capacity
Board (CEB) is launching two calls for forces with France’s Total Eren to produce of this new plant is estimated to be 2,3 GWh.
expressions of interest to build several 430 MW of solar and wind energy to
solar power plants with a combined power the mining facilities of the Canadian Norway’s support powers
capacity of 140 MW, with storage. The CEB company First Quantum Minerals (FQM).
says the first tender, for the development, Most of the electricity generated in African enterprises
financing and implementation of a Zambia comes from hydroelectric plants.
100 MW solar project, closes on 22 June The generating capacity of these facilities Empower New Energy has secured a
2022. The second tender, for 40 MW of drops during the dry season. This initiative guarantee to support its expansion in
capacity, is open until 15 June 2022. IPPs will also allow FQM to reduce the use Africa. The Norway-based renewable
selected under these calls for expressions of fuel oil which powers the electricity energy provider is supported by the African
of interest will be required to sign power generators, and reduce its carbon Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium
purchase agreements with the CEB. footprint by 30% by 2025. Enterprises (AGF). The company is financing
the installation of clean power generation
systems for commercial and industrial
customers in Africa. Examples include a
Electric buses improve mobility, cut CO 2 emission
700 kW solar PV system for a poultry farm
in Abuja, Nigeria, as well as a similar-sized
The Senegalese authorities and the French group Meridiam have agreed to acquire and rooftop solar plant at a Ghanaian plastic
manage Dakar’s electric bus network. The plan is to relieve congestion in the city by setting recycling enterprise. AGF’s support reduces
up a sustainable public transport system by 2023. The Dakar Bus Rapid Transit project involves risk and helps provide cheaper, more
the introduction of a fleet of 121 electric buses by 2023 to facilitate the mobility of 3,8 million reliable energy to more African businesses,
Dakar residents. The network, which will be financed by several partners, will also reduce travel Empower says.
time for residents by half and cut emissions by 59 000 tons of CO 2 equivalent per year.

Europe supports Nigerian
Zimbabwean solar project Millions to benefit from rural electrification projects
underway solar streetlighting
Nigeria is receiving new support from
Independent Power Producer (IPP) Kibo Fonroche Lighting has won a new contract the European Union and Germany to
Energy is taking over a solar project in to supply and install 67 000 solar- accelerate the electrification of its people.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The project, powered streetlights in several localities The funding will enable Nigeria’s Rural
which was previously developed by in Senegal. The solar streetlights will be Electrification Agency (REA) to provide
Broomfield International, involves installed in 256 localities, at a rate of grants to eight green mini-grid providers.
the construction of a 100 MW solar 1200 installations per week. The work, According to REA, the projects will benefit
photovoltaic power plant in several 25 MW which will be spread over three years, 138 000 people in Nigeria. They support the
phases. The first phase has already been is scheduled to begin in October 2022. Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), also
financed and is in the construction phase. According to the Senegalese government, implemented by REA. The Nigerian federal
According to Kibo Energy’s plans, the first this public lighting project should benefit government agency is also using grants to
5 MW will be fed into the Zimbabwean six million people. It should also mobilise accelerate the deployment of decentralised
national grid from April 2022. The about 121 million euros of investment. renewable energy in rural areas. Currently,
remaining 20 MW will be operational by This financing will be provided by the 66% of Nigerians living in remote areas still
December 2022. Senegalese government via French banks. do not have access to electricity.

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