British energy company, Savannah Energy PLC, is set to develop two solar photovoltaic power plants in Niger, with a combined power generation capacity of up to 200 megawatts (MW), following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Government of the Republic of Niger.
In a recent statement, the energy company disclosed that two proposed solar plants will be located within 20 km of the cities of Maradi and Zinder, in southern Niger. The projects will be developed by Savannah’s wholly owned subsidiary, Savannah Energy Niger Solar Limited.
Each solar energy plant is expected to have an installed capacity of between 50 and 100 MW, for a total potential installed capacity of up to 200 MW.
“I am delighted that we are announcing the signing of our Niger Solar Projects MOA. These are exactly the sort of high developmental impact projects our renewable energy division is seeking to deliver, with the potential to increase on-grid electricity supply in the country by over 20%,” said Andrew Knott, CEO Savannah Energy.
“We look forward to working with the Government of Niger as we seek to advance these projects through their development and construction phases towards first power in the 2025 to 2026 window,” added Knott.
Increasing grid connected energy capacity in Niger
The two projects are in addition to the 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind energy project that Savannah Energy is developing in Niger, with construction scheduled to commence in 2024.
Additionally, the solar projects are expected to increase the overall grid connected power generation in the country by over 20%, and avoid an estimated up to 260,000 tonnes of annual CO2 emissions.
“I am delighted to participate in today’s signature ceremony for a Memorandum of Agreement with Savannah Energy for the construction and operation of two new solar power plants, up to 200 MW in scale, to be located in the Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger,” said Ibrahim Yacoubou, Minister of State for Energy and Renewable Energies for the Republic of Niger.
“These projects are an example of the Republic of Niger’s strategy to increase electricity access for our people at an affordable cost through an expanding energy mix, as we have outlined in our National Strategy of Energy Access (SNAE) and our National Policy Document on Electricity (DPNE),” the minister stated.