Africa PV News Snippets

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum inaugurates a 30 MW solar power plant calling it the largest of its kind solar PV plant in the country; Morocco is reported to have identified 6 consortiums for a 400 MW solar PV tender; LeapFrog Investments commits $500 million for companies combating climate change in Asia and Africa.

30 MW solar plant in Niger: President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum has announced the country's largest of its kind solar PV plant with 30 MW capacity is now ready to be officially commissioned on August 25, 2023. Bazoum visited the Gorou Banda Solar Power Plant recently. A statement from the President's office said the project was built for an estimated CFA 20 billion ($33 million) and supported by loans from the French Development Agency, the European Union and the Niger government. Located on the Gorou Banda plateau, the project is to supply clean electricity to the national grid operated by Nigelec. The World Bank's Scaling Solar initiative is supporting Niger in the development of a 50 MW solar project on Gorou Banda Plateau for which the Energy Ministry was seeking proposals earlier this year (see Proposals Invited For Niger's Scaling Solar Project).

Morocco's 400 MW solar tender update: Moroccan renewable energy agency Masen has announced 6 consortiums as pre-qualifiers for its 400 MW solar tender. According to a report by Zawya, the 6 consortiums are led by Spain's Cobra Servicios, Communicaciones y Energia, France's EDF Renouvelables, Italy's Enel Green Power, Spain's Iberdrola Renovables International, Belgium's International Power and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power. In early 2020, Masen had launched a tender for 400 MW solar capacity under phase I of its Noor PV II program for this capacity to be located on 9 sites (see 400 MW Solar PV Tender Launched In Morocco).

According to the Moroccan Energy Ministry, at the end of 2022, the country had installed 830 MW solar energy capacity out of 4.03 GW renewable energy capacity.

$500 million for climate change investments: Asset manager LeapFrog Investments says it plans to commit $500 million for companies combating climate change in Africa and Asia. It will enable 50 million low-income people to get access to 'green tools and technologies'. Its focus will be to accelerate the green transition in the built environment, energy, mobility and food sectors. Referring to its own modelling, LeapFrog said compelling business cases exists across the emerging world from electric scooters in India to rooftop solar panels in Nigeria. These technologies now offer a green discount of up to 30% to 40% less than incumbent carbon intensive alternatives, yet the deal flow needs to be increased.

"Investing in climate solutions across emerging markets is not just the right thing to do, but also a highly compelling commercial opportunity," said LeapFrog's CEO and Founder, Dr Andy Kuper.