Independent British energy company Savannah Energy has announced plans to build up to 200 MW solar PV capacity in Niger as 2 grid connected projects that are expected to increase overall grid connected power generation in the country by over 20%, and for which it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government.
The British company's wholly owned subsidiary Savannah Energy Niger Solar Limited has proposed to develop 2 projects of 50 MW to 100 MW each in the cities of Maradi and Zinder in southern part of the country, located within 20 kms of each other.
Over the next 12 months, Savannah says it plans to complete feasibility studies before the projects can receive sanction in 2024 and start generated initial power as targeted between 2025 and 2026.
On completion, this capacity will be connected to the South Central section of the Niger electricity grid which by 2026 is planned to be interconnected to the Western Electricity Grid Zone under a World Bank aided project.
To be funded by the company through equity and debt, these projects will increase the country's self-produced clean and affordable power generation capacity, the company added.
Savannah is already working on a 250 MW wind farm in Niger as part of its aim to increase renewable energy capacity to over 1 GW by 2023-end. Last year it entered an agreement with Chad Energy Ministry to build the 'largest' solar power plant in Sub-Saharan Africa (see 500 MW Wind, Solar & Storage For Africa's Chad).
"In aggregate, the wind and solar projects Savannah is developing in partnership with the Government of Niger have the potential to increase the on-grid power supply in country substantially," Niger's Minister of State for Energy and Renewable Energies, Ibrahim Yacoubou. "These projects are crucial for Niger's economy, potentially improving the lives of millions of Nigeriens by providing them with life changing benefits from energy access."
Under its National Electrification Strategy, Niger wants to ensure universal access to electricity for all by 2035 and generate 80% of its power domestically through public private partnerships (PPP).
According to the World Bank, in 2020 Niger had one of the lowest electricity access rates with less than 20%, one of the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is now helping the country through its Scaling Solar initiative to develop a 50 MW AC solar project to help increase this access (see Proposals Invited For Niger's Scaling Solar Project).