Scatec secures financing for 60 MW of solar in Botswana
Norway’s Scatec ASA has reached financial close on a 60 MW solar plant in Botswana. The project will be developed as section of a broader 120 MW complex in the central part of the country.
Transformer explosion at South African coal power leaves nine injured
An explosion at an Eskom coal-fired power plant injured nine employees last week. The utility believes a rupture of a high-pressure steam steel pipe caused the incident and has said the event will not affect the suspension of load shedding.
South African battery storage procurement draws 33 bids
The list of preferred bidders for the third window of South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (BESIPPPP) will be announced in February 2025.
UN invests $700,000 in 120 kW hybrid solar plant in DR Congo
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has invested nearly $700,000 to build a 120 kW hybrid solar plant in Mambasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The community PV project will supply power to more than 300 users, including six health centers, 224 small businesses, and 89 households.
Convalt Energy commits to community solar plants in Chad
US-based Convalt Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chad’s Ministry of Water and Energy for three community solar plants totaling 3 MW, along with 1.5 MWh of battery storage.
South Africa deploys 961 MW of solar in January-October period
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has shared forecasts with pv magazine projecting strong growth for the nation’s solar sector, despite a decline in deployment compared to last year. Utility-scale public sector plants are scheduled to come online next year for the first time since 2019.
South African rail operator launches solar tender
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has opened an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender for solar installations at its sites across the country. The deadline for expressions of interest is Jan. 21, 2025.
African solar looks beyond donor nations for investment
Multilateral organizations the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) have played a key role in the development of African solar and want to attract more private capital to a continent with at least 40% of the world’s solar irradiation but currently only 1% of its PV generation capacity.
Eskom tenders 72 MW of solar at coal power plant
Eskom is seeking a contractor to provide turnkey design, engineering, operation and maintenance services for a solar project at the Komati Power Station, South Africa.
Somalia launches tender for off-grid solar-plus-storage at 25 health facilities
Somalia’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals said the solar-plus-storage systems will be deployed in the Marodi-Jeeh and Awdal regions.
