The Republic of Niger’s Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Renewable Energies has issued a tender for the construction of a 50 MW solar plant. The project will be located in Gourou Banda, in Niger’s Niamey area. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will assist in the development of the project. The project is being developed under the Scaling Solar Initiative of the World Bank. The bid submissions deadline is November 22, 2021. The scope of work comprises the design, installation, financing, construction commissioning, and operation of the project.
Niger joined the Scaling Solar initiative on June 14, 2021, with a goal of developing up to 50 MW of grid-connected solar energy projects. This equates to around 20 per cent of the country’s current installed capacity. By 2035, the government wants to generate 30% of its electricity from renewable sources.
In July 2021, ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (IIP) had published a request for proposal to build a 390 MW solar PV project in Togo, as well as a 200 MWh storage system and a 161 kVA substation. The project would be funded by ARISE IIP, an African creator and operator of industrial ecosystems. The approved developer had to grant an engineering, procurement, and construction contract, as well as a five-year operation and maintenance contract, or they may create a joint venture with ARISE and enter into a 20-year power purchase agreement.
REGlobal’s Views: Niger depends on fossil fuels for at least 99% of its energy needs. Thus, the country has been making significant efforts to decarbonise its energy mix through solar power.
