Gourou Banda Solar Power Station
| Gourou Banda Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Niger |
| Location | Gourou Banda, Commune V, Niamey |
| Coordinates | 13°25′13″N 02°06′45″E / 13.42028°N 2.11250°E |
| Status | Under construction |
| Construction began | 2021 |
| Commission date | August 2023 Expected |
| Construction cost | US$34 million (Stage 1); $70 million (Stages 1&2) |
| Owner(s) | Government of Niger |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 50 MW (67,000 hp) |
The Gourou Banda Solar Power Station is a 50 MW (67,000 hp) solar power plant under construction in Niger. This renewable energy infrastructure project is under development by an independent power producer (IPP), under the build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, as part of the bank's "Scaling Solar" program. The solar farm, first conceived in 2018, as a 20 megawatts installation, was expanded to capacity of 50 megawatts in 2020.[1][2]
Location[edit]
The solar farm sits adjacent to the existing 100 megawatts Gorou Banda Thermal Power Station, in Gorou Banda, in Commune V of the city of Niamey, the capital and largest city in the country.[2] This is located on the southwest bank of River Niger, across the river from the central business district of the city, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of the Stade Général Seyni Kountché.[3]
Overview[edit]
As of September 2021, Niger's national generation capacity was reported as 284 megawatts, all of it derived from expensive "fossil fuels".[4] The national electrification rate was 18.8 percent, in 2019, with the government of Niger aiming to raise that rate to 80 percent by 2035, with 30 percent of generating capacity derived from renewable sources.[1][5]
The Gorou Banda Solar Plant represents the first grid-ready renewable energy source in the country. The electricity generated at this power station will be sold to Société Nigérienne d'Electricité (Nigelec), the electricity company of Niger. The World Bank's "Scaling Solar" program works in a complimentary manner to meet the goals of the stakeholders.[5]
Developers[edit]
In September 2021, the Government of Niger called for pre-qualification of eligible IPPs to tender for the construction of this power station. "Interested IPPs have until 22 November 2021 to apply". IFC is acting as advisor to the government of Niger, in this process.[5]
In February 2022, six IPPs were selected in the first round to continue bidding for the rights to develop this power station. Those six winners are identified in the table below.[6]
| Rank | IPP/Developer | Domicile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scatec Solar | Norway | [6] |
| 2 | Elsewedy Electric | Egypt | [6] |
| 3 | Infinity Power Holding | Egypt | [6] |
| 4 | GreenYellow | France | [6] |
| 5 | Voltalia | France | [6] |
| 6 | Nareva Holding | Morocco | [6] |
Construction costs and funding[edit]
The construction costs were estimated at US$70 million in 2020. Two institutions have pledged financial support. The French Development Agency (AFD) has agreed to lend €23.5 million and the European Union has promised to lend €5 million towards this development.[2]
Developments[edit]
In July 2023, it was reported that the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor on the first phase f the project was a consortium comprising French companies Sogemcom and Akuo Energy. The solar farm is expected to reach commercial commissioning in August 2023.[7][8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Jean Marie Takouleu (30 October 2018). "Niger: Gourou Banda solar park project in Niamey will be financed by AFD". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Inès Magoum (31 August 2020). "Niger: Construction of the Gorou Banda PV solar plant will finally begin". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Google (11 September 2021). "Road Distance Between Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey, Niger And Gorou Banda Thermal Power Station, Niamey, Niger With Map" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (9 September 2021). "Niger: Niamey Launches Prequalification for 50 MWp Solar Power Plant in Gourou Banda". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Jean Marie Takouleu (16 June 2021). "Niger: Niamey joins the Scaling Solar programme and expects 50 MWp of green energy". Afrik21.africa. Paris France. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jean Marie Takouleu (24 February 2022). "Niger: Six IPPs battle for Gorou Banda solar plant contract". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (5 July 2023). "Niger: Mohamed Bazoum and Josep Borrell inaugurate the Gorou Banda solar power plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris France. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Anita Anyango (13 July 2023). "Niger inaugurates Gorou Banda solar power plant". Pumps Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 14 July 2023.