AMEA Power energises the 26MW Zina solar plant in Burkina Faso

UAE headquartered renewable energy independent power producer, AMEA Power, has energised the 26MW Zina solar power plant in Burkina Faso. The solar facility is located 185 km from the capital city Ouagadougou, in the village of Zina in the Mouhoun Province. 

The Zina solar plant is AMEA Power’s second operational solar asset in West Africa. The project was financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the IFC-Canada Climate Change Program, and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.

The solar facility has a 25–year power purchase agreement with national utility company, SONABEL, and will provide power to more than 43,000 people under a public–private partnership framework. 

Aiding Burkina Faso with its decarbonisation plans

Additionally, the Zina solar plant will also help Burkina Faso with its decarbonisation objectives, offsetting 13,200 tonnes of CO2 per year. The West African country is heavily reliant on the importation of fossil fuels for power generation. The country plans to add more renewable energy generation capacity to improve its power generation capacity.

“The country is looking to add more than 500MW of capacity by 2025,” commented Hussain AlNowais, Chairman of AMEA Power. “AMEA Power is pleased to be part of the country’s journey to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy to the people of Burkina Faso. As we continue to grow across our target markets, we are pleased to announce this important milestone in West Africa.”

Linda Munyengeterwa, IFC’s Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure in Africa, commented: “the Zina solar project will provide affordable, clean power to thousands of homes and businesses by leveraging Burkina Faso’s abundant solar resources. IFC’s investment in the project is testimony to its sustained commitment to Burkina Faso’s power sector and to its support for private sector investment in the Sahel.”