As the Senegalese Government aims to increase its share of renewable energy to 30%, ENGIE, Merdiam and the Sovereign Fund for Strategic Investments of Senegal (FONSIS) have announced the commissioning of two solar photovoltaic power plants, with a combined generation capacity of 60 MW.
Located in the central regions of Kaolack and Diourbel, respectively, the 35-MW Kahone Solaire SA and 25-MW Kaél Solaire SA plants represent the first electricity generation projects by private operators to have been the subject of a call for tenders in Senegal.
As part of the Scaling Solar program currently being implemented in the country by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Government of Senegal, the two plants support a clean energy transition by supplying 540,000 Senegalese with renewable power, creating more than 400 direct and indirect local jobs, and reducing carbon emissions by 89,000 tons per year.
“The Senegalese Government has set itself a target of 30% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2025. We are pleased to be able to contribute, with the Kahone and Kaél photovoltaic plants, to the provision of clean and sustainable energy to the population. We also welcome the excellent collaboration between the various parties involved,” said Philippe Miquel, CEO North Africa at ENGIE.
“Scaling Solar is the embodiment of the cooperation between FONSIS and several private sector players including ENGIE, Meridiam, the IFC, Proparco and the European Investment Bank,” said Papa Demba Diallo, Director General of FONSIS. “We are delighted with this collaboration, which allows our country to achieve several objectives of the ‘Energy Component’ within the Plan for an Emerging Senegal – in particular, the diversification of the energy mix, the development of clean energy allowing a reduction of pollution, in line with the conclusions of the Paris Climate Accord, but also the strengthening of universal access to sustainable and affordable energy.”
Within five years, it is estimated that Engie, Meridiam and FONSIS will collectively operate 120 MW of installed power generation capacity in Senegal, representing more than half of the country’s total solar capacity.
The Kaél and Kahone concessions will be operated over a period of 25 years by a company owned by ENGIE (40%), Meridiam (40%) and FONSIS (20%).
