Desert-to-Power initiative seeking consultants for solar mapping
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is seeking consultants to undertake a solar mapping exercise in seven of its members states: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. The deadline for expressions of interest is August 30.
Floating photovoltaics may significantly reduce water evaporation at Aswan dam
The Aswan High Dam Reservoir is one of the world’s largest water reservoir and suffers from high water evaporation rates due to the region’s very hot and dry climate. Floating PV installations may be a remedy, while also offering a good match for hydropower generation.
Sudan plans to deploy solar irrigation pumps
More than a thousand units will be installed on farms in two Sudanese states under a program financed by the African Development Bank. Consultants interested in organizing the program have less than two weeks to declare their interest.
Solar and wind could provide half of 2040 power mix across 22 African nations
The International Renewable Energy Agency has combined energy infrastructure commitments across a huge swathe of the continent with hundreds of regional sites which offer rich solar and onshore wind potential, to determine what could be possible.
Storage and PAYG critical to deployment of African off-grid renewables
The former need not necessarily relate to conventional lithium-ion batteries, however, as a recent webinar staged by Solarpower Europe and EU body GET.invest discovered.
Renewables targets falling by the wayside, according to African solar survey
An overview of the state of solar across the continent by trade body the Africa Solar Industry Association has highlighted a patchy policy landscape where clean power ambitions are often not followed through.
Sudan wants to contract 500 MW of solar power
According to the country’s Ministry of Energy, an unspecified UAE solar company has committed to building several large scale PV plants across the country. These new projects would be granted a 20-year PPA and would be Sudan’s first solar parks.
Sahel regional leaders give new push for 10 GW Desert to Power initiative
The African Development Bank last year disclosed a plan to install 10 GW of solar in the deserts of the Sahel. A recent summit held in Burkina Faso may have brought the ambitious project a step closer.
Sudan preps to launch FIT scheme for solar and renewables
The FIT program, which is being developed with the support of the UNDP, is expected to encourage grid-connected renewable energy projects as well as off-grid generation.
Practical Action: solar enablers and award winners
The Practical Action non-governmental organisation (NGO) won a Zayed Future Energy Price last week at Abu Dhabi’s Sustainability Week for its work to reduce poverty. The NGO shares its experience of solar PV deployment in the developing world.
