Energy Vault signs gravity storage deal covering southern Africa
Under a new 10-year agreement, Gravity Energy Storage Solutions (GESSOL) has secured the rights to deploy Energy Vault’s gravity energy storage tech throughout the 16 nations of the Southern African Development Community region. Energy Vault CEO Robert Piconi says the deployments will smooth out load shedding and optimize grid performance.
Mauritania secures $289.5 million for solar projects, interconnection line
The authorities in Mauritania have obtained $289.5 million of financing for two solar projects, including a $272 million loan – the largest ever granted to the country by the African Development Bank – for a recently approved 225 kV electricity interconnection.
Ivory Coast to host 52 MW solar plant
The Ivory Coast government has signed an agreement with infrastructure investor PFO Africa for the financing, construction and operation of a 52 MW solar plant. The project has been billed as the country’s largest to date.
Puma Energy acquires 49% stake in MBHE
MBHE, a southern African solar company, says the new partnership with global energy business Puma Energy will enable it to maintain an aggressive growth strategy and access a larger network of commercial and industrial clients into Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mali-Mauritania interconnection project to support solar
The African Development Fund has approved $302.9 million of financing for a 225 kV electricity interconnection project linking Mauritania and Mali. The project is part of the Desert to Power initiative, which facilitates the development of solar plants in the region.
World Bank moves forward with solar water scheme in Uganda
The World Bank has issued a tender for consultancy services for Uganda’s Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP). Backed by World Bank funding, EASP will oversee the deployment of 40 solar energy water supply schemes across the East African country.
Kenya seeking consultants for 42.5 MW solar project
The Kenyan authorities have started searching for consultants to offer guidance on the development of a 42.5 MW solar project in Embu County, Kenya.
Researchers apply thresholding to PV soiling image analysis
Thresholding methods have commonly been used to characterize the soiling accumulated on glass coupons. Researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome have identified 16 automatic thresholding methods that may be used for analyzing soiling on PV panels.
Asantys Systems offers containerized solar-storage solutions in Sierra Leone
Asantys Systems has developed containerized solar-storage solutions in Sierra Leone, featuring solar containers with capacities ranging from 30 kW to 130 kW. The containers include inverters from German manufacturer SMA and batteries from Hoppecke Batterien.
Globeleq acquires PV plant in Mozambique
Globeleq’s acquisition of the 41 MW plant significantly expands its renewable energy footprint in Mozambique. It also comes just weeks after the company began commercial operations at a 19 MW solar and 7 MWh storage project in Cuamba.
