Chad sets sights on 40MW PV power plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

A 40MW project that is in line to become Chad’s first independent power producer-built solar project has been granted US$780,000 from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).

The grid-connected Starsol project will be built near N’Djamena, the capital city of the Central African country.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

SEFA, an arm of the African Development Bank funded by foreign donors, said the grant would finance costs related to technical assistance for the completion of the plant design and grid study, as well as advisors for legal and financial structuring of a bankable IPP.

Starsol Chad is being taken forward by a consortium of foreign firms that includes French solar project developer, NewSolar Invest, engineering company CIEC Monaco, and Paris-based financiers Arborescence Capital.  

SEFA said successful completion of Starsol would increase the installed capacity in the N’Djamena area by 45%, helping address frequent power shortages that are hampering economic growth. The plant is expected to generate around 64GWh per year, supplying power to homes, business and public sector buildings.

Chad has identified the development of renewable energy capacity as a priority for the country. Only 2% of Chad’s population has access to power and electricity costs are high owing to a high dependency on expensive diesel-powered generators.

Earlier this year SEFA made a similar grant to pump-prime a 72MW PV power plant in Cameroon.

The opportunities and challenges for solar in Africa will be under discussion at Solar & Off-Grid Renewables West Africa on 21-22 April in Accra, Ghana. Hosted by PV Tech’s publisher, Solar Media, the event will feature a high-profile panel of speakers from industry and government. Further details are available here.

Read Next

September 18, 2025
CERC is finalising guidelines for virtual power purchase agreements (vPPAs) to unlock financing for over 40GW of uncontracted renewable capacity.
September 18, 2025
The capacity of virtual power plants in operation in North America has reached 37.5GW, a 13.7% year-on-year growth, according to Wood Mackenzie.
September 18, 2025
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has forecast that Canada will add between 17GW and 26GW of solar PV over the next decade.
September 18, 2025
Researchers have called for enhanced international standards to detect ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) in PV modules after identifying “severe” levels of the problem in operational n-type panels.             
September 18, 2025
Indian PV makers have welcomed the government’s plan to add solar wafers to its ALMM List-III from June 2028.
September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA