African PAYG solar companies have hogged 72% of sector’s investment
The first post-pandemic update on the state of the world’s off-grid solar industry has painted a picture of domination by European companies, but highlighted the potential for new startups in West Africa and an increasing use of PV as a backup to unreliable grid supplies.
Off-grid solar continues to expand
The off-grid solar sector has shown resilience in the face of pandemic-related challenges, with 70 million people gaining access to electricity from early 2020 to the end of 2021. However, the ability to pay for solar energy kits has taken a hit.
Rio Tinto unit signs up for 148 MW of solar
Richards Bay Minerals has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with French renewables developer Voltalia, which plans to build a 148 MW solar project in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
Equity investment to back 150 MW of commercial solar in Africa
Norwegian developer Empower New Energy has secured $74 million of mostly public funds from investors and will top it up to build a $100 million, three-year cash pile.
South Africa unveils bids for sixth renewables procurement round
South Africa’s Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Office says that 5.5 GW of solar will compete with 4.1 GW of wind power projects in its latest procurement round.
The Global South’s solar e-waste problem
An international research group has examined the structural barriers to addressing the solar e-waste problem in the Global South. They argue that the focus should be on repairing devices, rather than recycling them.
Engie, CBEA to build $60 million of minigrid projects in Nigeria
CrossBoundary EnergyAccess Nigeria has committed to invest $60 million in minigrid projects developed by Engie, in the largest such transaction in Africa. The projects will connect more than 150,000 people to electricity for the first time.
Merger activity heats up in African commercial solar market
Lagos-based Daystar Power is targeting 400 MW of installed generation capacity by 2025, after being acquired by Shell mere days after the Starsight-SolarAfrica merger announcement.
AfDB announces cheap loans to back off-grid solar in Africa
The African Development Bank has announced that European and US donors will provide $20 million of concessional loans to support pay-as-you-go solar companies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sterling and Wilson signs 961 MW/455 MWh solar storage deal with Nigerian government
Sterling and Wilson Solar Solutions has signed an agreement to build 961 MWp of solar and 455 MWh of battery storage capacity in Nigeria.
