Africa & Middle East

Masdar’s five small-scale solar energy projects are to be inaugurated this week in the Pacific Island countries and territories under the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund (UAE-PPD).

Italian renewable energy firm Enertronica has acquired a US$7.98 million 6MW PV plant in Namibia, under a 25-year PPA with NamPower, at an initial value of US$1.37kWh.

German solar developer Conergy is extending its presence in the Middle East and North Africa.

European companies have dominated the list of prequalified companies for Abu Dhabi’s 350MW solar tender.

Off-grid solar specialist Nova-Lumos has received a £150,000 grant from the SolarNigera Programme (SNP), an initiative of the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) implemented by Adam Smith International, to help accelerate its operations in northern Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed a new 9.5GW renewable energy target as part of its 2030 Vision initiative to move its economy away from reliance on oil.

An agreement to work together on solar projects in Egypt has been signed by PV module manufacturer REC and a subsidiary of local telecoms company Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding” (OTMT).

Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy firm Masdar has launched four utility-scale clean energy projects as well as thousands of residential solar systems in remote areas across Egypt.

Finnish power source manufacturer Wärtsilä has broken into the solar industry by launching hybrid utility-scale PV systems.

Italian renewables, energy efficiency and waste management firm TerniEnrgia has established a subsidiary in Mozambique to participate in African renewable energy projects.