Zinc miner goes solar as African Development Bank pushes off-grid finance
A business based at a Namibian mine has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement which will back the construction of a 5.4MW solar project. Elsewhere, the AfDB wants to roll-out solar panels to provide electricity access to six million people across six nations over the next six years.
European funds back 40MW Kenyan solar field
The $87 million Kesses solar project, in Kenya’s Rift Valley town of Eldoret, is set for completion by Spanish developer Alten this year.
Net metering would offer a solar rooftop alternative to uneconomic Kenyan utilities
Commercial and industrial clients across the continent are turning to solar amid fears ever more cash-strapped conventional electricity companies will be unable to invest in their creaking grids, an online event has heard.
Botswana-Namibia green hydrogen project expands to 5GW
The raised ambition of an already huge renewables-powered hydrogen project in the Southern African nations vividly demonstrates the hydrogen and clean energy potential of a continent which accounted for just 0.5% of the world’s new solar capacity last year, according to trade body AFSIA’s annual report.
Bboxx secures funds for 90,000 solar home systems in Kenya
The off-grid solar supplier said the fact its latest finance package is denominated in local currency will help encourage African commercial banks to be more ready to back PV.
Africa’s winners and losers in the bid to go solar
While East Africa – and Kenya is particular – has made great strides in the provision of off-grid solar systems, Central Africa is a long way behind, according to a new report from IRENA and the African Development Bank. In terms of investment, the study’s authors wrote, much, much more will be required to achieve universal electricity access this decade.
China holds the key to cancelling half the world’s new coal project plans
With pressure mounting on the world’s governments to turn their back on the fossil fuel, China and peers in South East Asia, Europe and South Asia could help deliver a coal-free future at the COP26 climate summit planned in Glasgow in November.
First African solar project capacity financed under €5m crowdfunding-backed partnership
Swedish platform Trine, which offers people the chance to invest in solar from as little as €25, has announced plans to generate €5 million credit for South African solar leasing partner Solarise Africa.
Sahel-wide group buying program could drive solar home system supply
A report commissioned by EU lender the EIB has dismissed the role solar mini-grids can play in achieving universal electrification by 2030 and signaled distribution to individual households should be the way forward, including sales to the residents of UN refugee camps in East Africa.
European funding for solar mini grids in Kenya
Some 22 villages in Busia county will receive a total of 7,000 electricity connection points plus solar-powered street lighting and water services after InfraCo Africa invested $4.2 million acquiring 40% of developer Kudura Power East Africa.
