MALI – Russian company NovaWind, a subsidiary of Rosatom, is urgently installing 200 MWp of photovoltaic solar energy in Mali.
As the country grapples with an electricity crisis that hinders economic development, transitional president Assimi Goïta laid the foundation for a new solar photovoltaic power plant on May 24.
The facility will cover 314 hectares and is approximately thirty kilometers from Bamako’s capital.
This project represents a significant effort by Mali’s transitional government to address the country’s electricity shortage.
President Assimi Goïta’s visits to Sanankoroba in the Kati circle marked the commencement of this ambitious endeavor. The plant, expected to become operational within 12 months, will supply 10% of Mali’s electricity needs, significantly alleviating the power crisis.
NovaWind is investing €200 million (US$217.16m) in this initiative. The day before the groundbreaking ceremony, President Goïta met with NovaWind’s General Director, Grigory Nazarov, to discuss the project’s progress.
Following the meeting, the Malian government highlighted the project as a crucial step towards diversifying the country’s energy mix and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
“With this new infrastructure in Sanankoroba, Mali embarks on the path towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future,” President Goïta stated.
This sentiment aligns with NovaWind’s recent activities, such as their partnership with Kyrgyzstan to develop 1,000 MW of renewable energy.
Additionally, earlier this month, the Malian government approved the first modification of the concession agreement for a 50 MWp solar photovoltaic plant in Tiakadougou-Dialokoro.
This plant, planned since 2020, will be constructed under a public-private partnership with the Emirati company Amea Power, further contributing to Mali’s renewable energy landscape.
Burkina Faso commissions new photovoltaic solar power plant in Zina
In a significant move towards sustainable energy, Burkina Faso has commissioned a new photovoltaic solar power plant in Zina, increasing its installed electricity capacity by 26.6 MWp.
This facility, financed and built by the Emirati company Amea Power, marks a crucial development in the country’s renewable energy landscape.
Located in the village of Zina in the Mouhoun province, the 70-hectare solar park will supply electricity to over 43,000 people and offset 13,200 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Amea Power announced the project’s completion on LinkedIn, highlighting the benefits of this public-private partnership (PPP) with the Burkina Faso government.
To realize this project, Amea Power, led by Hussain al-Nowais, secured financing from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
The IFC-Canada Climate Change Program (IFCCCP) also played a role in achieving financial closure for the Zina solar project in 2022.
The new solar power plant is connected to the Burkina Faso National Electricity Company (SONABEL) grid under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Operated by the special-purpose company Zina Solaire S.A., Amea Power joins other independent power producers (IPPs) with operational solar power plants in Burkina Faso.
These include Madagascar’s Axian Group, which owns the 30 MWp Nagréongo solar farm acquired from French IPP GreenYellow, and the French company Africa Ren, which operates a 38 MWp photovoltaic facility in Kodéni near Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second-largest city.
With the addition of the Zina plant, Burkina Faso now boasts an installed solar capacity of 182.6 MWp, underscoring its commitment to expanding renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
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