Eritrea to build 30MW solar PV plant after securing funds from AfDB

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The project will be located in Dekemhare, a town 40km southeast of Eritrea’s capital Asmara. Image: The African Development Bank

Eritrea has secured about US$50 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to construct a 30MW solar PV project, hoping to increase the reliability of electricity supply and the share of renewable energy in its energy mix.

The fund will finance the construction of a 30MW solar PV power plant near Dekemhare, a town 40km southeast of Eritrea’s capital Asmara, in addition to a battery backup system. After completion, the power plant is expected to increase generation capacity and grid energy to 185MW and 365GWh per year, respectively.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The project consists of the power generation phase, including the design, construction, supply and installation of a 30MW grid-connected solar PV power plant, a 15MW battery energy storage system, a substation and a transmission line.

The second phase of the project is about technical assistance and capacity building, including capacity building for the electricity company and Eritrea’s Ministry of Environment, particularly in PV technologies and battery energy storage systems, dispatch management and commissioning of electrical equipment.

Part of the fund will be allocated to technical assistance and capacity building to improve the operational performance of the grid.

According to the African Development Bank, the project could increase the share of renewable energy in the Eritrean grid energy mix from 3% to 23%.

Currently, Eritrea’s available capacity is 35MW, while its peak demand could reach as high as 70MW based on the African Development Bank’s statistics. In its 2018 National Energy Policy, Eritrea aims to increase the electrification rate across the country and supply 20% of electric power demand through renewable energy sources by 2030.

Recently, the International Renewable Energy Agency said investments in new renewables should also be channelled to more countries, as 85% of global renewable energy investment benefited less than half of the world’s population, while Africa accounted for only 1% of additional capacity in 2022.

Read Next

July 25, 2025
A round-up of news from the Indian solar sector this week, including Reliance Industries' cell plant, Juniper Green Energy powering solar PV and Solex Energy launching new modules.
July 25, 2025
Oil and gas major bp has confirmed it will exit the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), a 26GW wind, solar and green hydrogen project planned for Western Australia.
July 24, 2025
2025 will be the first time in over a decade that solar power additions decline in the EU, according to a mid-year report from SolarPower Europe.
July 24, 2025
Spanish energy utility giant Iberdrola has recorded over €3.5 billion in net profits in the first half of 2025 as it continues to expand investments in grid networks and high-value markets.
July 24, 2025
China has installed 14.36GW of solar PV in June 2025, down 85% from the previous month and also decreasing 38% from the same period in 2024.
July 23, 2025
Norwegian IPP Scatec has been selected for an 846MW solar cluster in the latest REIPPPP tender from South Africa.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK