Page 32 - Energize May 2022

Power developments in Africa

Compiled by Roger Lilley, Now Media

Large-scale, vertically integrated green hydrogen project To generate own power and
share surplus
The Namibian Government has appointed Hyphen Hydrogen Energy to develop the country’s
first large-scale, vertically integrated green hydrogen project in the Tsau Khaeb national park. The Zimbabwean subsidiary of South
The project, worth an estimated US$9,4 billion, will produce either pure green hydrogen or a African cement manufacturing giant
derivative such as green ammonia. The first phase, expected to enter production in 2026, will Pretoria Portland Cement Limited (PPC)
provide 2 GW of electricity to produce green hydrogen for conversion into green ammonia. It will invest US$40 million in solar energy
will be increased later to provide 5 GW of electricity and 3 GW of electrolyser capacity. development for its manufacturing plants.
The future solar facilities will be developed
Clean cooking programme Refinancing deal extends in the company’s plants at Bulawayo and
gets a boost life, reduces cost Colleen Bawn, both located in Matabeleland
province. The planned solar projects are
expected to generate a total power of 30
The Netherlands Development Finance Scatec and its partner, Africa50, have MW, out of which 17 MW will be utilised for
Corporation (FMO) is teaming up with refinanced their solar power plants in the internal consumption while the surplus will
BIX Capital to open a US$10 million Benban complex in the governorate of be fed into the national grid.
line of credit to C-Quest Capital (CQC). Aswan, Egypt. This operation was carried
The loan will finance the distribution of out through the issuance of a green
environmentally friendly stoves to 7 million bond subscribed by several development Solar power to grow in C&I
households in 15 sub-Saharan African banks. The refinanced parks have a sector
countries, including Zambia, Malawi, combined capacity of 380 MWp. The
Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, transaction was carried out through the As its business grows, solar energy
Tanzania and Angola. More than 900 million issuance of a 19-year, US$334,5 million provider westa.solar has obtained a
sub-Saharan Africans do not have access to non-recourse green bond. According to loan of €1,5 million from the Austrian
clean cooking according to the International the African Development Bank (AfDB), Development Bank (OeEB). The
Energy Agency (IEA). Cooking methods the debt refinancing will extend the life resources for this financing come from
using wood and charcoal are responsible for of the six solar power plants and reduce the Investment Fund for African and
490 000 premature deaths per year. interest costs. Austrian SMEs (AAIF), which was set up
by the Austrian Ministry of Finance and
is managed by the OeEB. This Lagos-
Two new solar PV sites awarded
based company finances and installs solar
photovoltaic power plants for commercial
Voltalia, a global player in renewable energy, has won a large part of a tender for solar PV and industrial (C&I) customers. Westa.solar
generation in Morocco. The company won 117 MW, out of a total 400 MW. Construction at is a joint venture between solar home
the two sites: Ain Beni Mathar, (69 MW), and Guercif, (48 MW), will begin at the end 2023. systems provider Oolu Solar and RP Global,
These sites are ideal due to their land rights and connections to the national grid. Long-term a renewable energy investment company.
electricity sales agreements, which will be made with private customers who are connected
to the public grid, will guarantee revenue.
Converting waste to
electricity in Ghana
Solar minigrid to supply Bringing solar power to
1500 people more rural homes Ghana’s Minister of Environment,
Science, Technology and Innovation,
Engie Energy Access, a subsidiary of the Solar home systems provider Sun King has Kwaku Afriyie recently inaugurated a
French group Engie, is commissioning its raised US$260 million from several investors solid waste recovery plant at Gyankobaa,
first off-grid solar PV minigrid in Nigeria. to help accelerate rural electrification in in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The
It will benefit 1500 people in rural areas. sub-Saharan Africa. This is one of the largest new facility converts 12 tonnes of waste
The company specializes in decentralised deals in the solar home systems segment into electricity and fertilizer every day.
solutions for access to electricity. The in the world, and in Africa in particular. The Ghanaians produce 14 000 tons of
minigrid is equipped with solar PV panels fundraising, led by BeyondNetZero, M&G garbage per day, two-thirds of which ends
capable of delivering 90 kW of power. Investments and Arch Emerging Markets up in sewers or is burned in landfills. The
The small-scale plant is connected to a Partners, will enable the company, formerly new 400 kW hybrid PV-biogas-pyrolysis
power grid supplying 300 customers in known as Greenlight Planet, to increase the plant converts biodegradable material
the community of Gbangba. In addition distribution of its solar home systems and into fertilizer for farmers, while the
to households, the new facility provides other kits such as solar lanterns in countries solar photovoltaic, biogas and pyrolysis
electricity to micro and small enterprises including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and technologies convert solid waste into
(MEPs). Nigeria. electricity.

energize | May 2022 | 30