News Update - August 2024: Part 2

Nigeria

US backs Nigeria on Sun Africa’s utility scale solar power project
The Federal Government has secured the backing of the United States for Sun Africa’s solar power project. More

SAF-AGA Renewable Energy Company seeks partnership with REA
This includes the development of 50 mini-grid sites to serve communities, educational institutions, and productive use equipment. More

Rafinzurufi Community connected to solar hybrid mini-grid
The project, completed under the Rural Electrification Fund’s Call Two programme. More

South Africa

Standard Bank finances Mpumalanga’s water-based solar plant
Financed in partnership with Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) division. More

City of Cape Town (CoCT) completes $820k USD solar project
Construction on the 990 kWp Kraaifontein project began at the end of 2023 and was completed by May this year. More

OptiPower and Coxabengoa JV awarded 100 MW solar project
The contract is valued at around $66.7M USD. The name of the mining company has not been disclosed. More

IFC confirms eagerness to fund private grid projects
IFC Africa VP Sérgio Pimenta told Engineering News this during his recent visit to South Africa. More

EBB loan scheme for loans towards purchase solar systems renewed
National Treasury’s Energy Bounce-Back (EBB) loan scheme was set to expire at the end of August 2024 and is now renewed until early 2025. More

Norsk Renewables expands presence through strategic investment
The company announced investment in Great Karoo Phase 1 (Ptw) Ltd, a project company, that holds ownership of a major renewable energy project. More

Eskom launches tender for up to 30 MW of solar
The project will be built near Komati Power Station, in the town of Komati, Mpumalanga province, eastern South Africa. More

Rest of Sub-Saharan Africa

Botswana - Chinese consortium joins Botswana’s renewable energy coterie
The consortium will finance the $78.3M USD EPC contract. It will then operate and maintain the project for 25 years. More

Botswana - Botala Energy gains environmental approval for 250 MW solar project
The approval is for a 250 MW solar project, developed in partnership with AAAS Energy of the Netherlands. More

Côte d’Ivoire - UNOPS to provide solar equipment to rural health centers
The initiative, funded by a $16M USD grant from the World Bank, aligns with the Ministry of Health’s goal of ensuring equitable healthcare. More

Malawi - Signs $77.4M USD deal for 50 MW solar farm
A MoU between Malawi and Sun Africa Power Development Limited was signed, facilitated by the Rethinking Africa Foundation. More

Senegal - GreenYellow sells its solar assets in Senegal
The company has sold its assets, three rooftop solar power plants in operation, to Afreenergy, an energy company based in Mauritius. More

Zambia - Metals producer Jubilee signs PPA with Lunsemfwa Hydro Power
The agreement gives Jubilee the option to secure another 10 MW of solar, discounted by more than 30% below the initial PPA power rates. More

Zimbabwe - ZERA grants licences for Midlands and Matobo solar projects
ZERA has granted a combined 230 MW solar power generating licences in Matobo District and Midlands province to SunOne (Pvt) Limited. More

AfDB approves $10M USD investment to KawiSafi II clean-energy Fund
The financing comes from the SEFA facility, and is to address investment gaps in energy transaction, productivity and mobility. More

Standard Bank mobilizes $3B USD for renewable energy initiatives in Africa
Specific areas targeted included solar and wind project, energy efficiency, electricity distribution networks, green buildings, carbon finance. More