Unlocking Solar Capital in Africa
The international conference “Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa”, will be held on 25 and 26 October 2017 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It is anticipated that the gathering will bring together senior finance and project development executives for in-depth discussions of financing and development of ON-grid, MINI-grid and OFF-grid solar energy solutions. Solar photovoltaic (PV) does not only provide a viable solution for meeting growing power needs through utility-scale solar power plants. Off-grid and microgrid applications electrify communities and households that otherwise would have to rely on expensive and carbon-rich fossil fuels. Since economic development goes hand in hand with energy access, the application of solar power is, slowly but surely, contributing to the continent’s economic development. As a prelude to the conference, a report has been published giving an overview of the key facts and figures about the most prominently developing solar markets in Africa. The countries covered in the North of the continent include Algeria and Morocco.
ON-grid. Algeria has been operating a 150 MW hybrid plant since 2011. The plant is located in Hassi R’Mel and sources 120 MW of energy from gas and 30 MW of energy from solar power. Projects currently in the pipeline cover the installation of a further 4,020 MW of PV capacity. In Morocco, the first phase of the Noor Solar Power station has been completed with a generating capacity of 160 MW. When fully completed, overall capacity will reach 580 MW. Another, smaller 5MW PV utility-scale solar project, is also being assessed to serve as a model for smaller sized cities.
MINI-grid. Algeria is testing a first mini-grid solar power plant with a capacity of 28 KW, installed on the rooftop of a research division in Wilaya of Adrar. Morocco is establishing mini-grids to electrify rural regions, such as the 5.76 KWp system being set up in the village of Akkan.
OFF-grid. In Algeria, with almost 100% of the country having access to electricity, the potential for off-grid solar is small and very few off-grid applications have been established. On the other hand, Morocco is testing solar off-grid applications in villages located out of reach of the power grid. In such villages individual households are being equipped with solar ovens. Community solar bread ovens are also being installed, to reduce the need of cooking on open fires or purchasing bottled gas. Another off-grid solar application being tested in the country is solar pumping and irrigation as an alternative to the use of fossil-fuel.
Resources: Facts & Figures - Solar energy in Africa 2017 | Conference “Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa”
See also:
Promising solar outlook for the MENA region
Jordan: big boost for solar energy production
Diversifying energy sources in the MENA region