Nigeria's largely peaceful presidential election at the end of March was a victory for democracy. It could also have positive implications for the deployment of solar energy in Africa's most populous nation and in West Africa as a whole, writes Tom Kenning.
Dubai-based Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and Environmental Services (ALJ) has acquired Spanish PV project developer Fotowatio Solar Renewable Ventures (FRV) for an undisclosed amount.
Tier-1 PV manufacturer and project developer ET Solar said it had secured turnkey EPC services for a 50MWp solar power plant in Israel, along with local partners G-Systems and El-Mor Group.
Gigawatt Global, the solar and social development company responsible for developing Rwanda’s first utility-scale PV power plant, has been awarded two grants to develop a solar project in neighbouring Burundi.
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).
Solar power systems serving an oilfield in Qatar will be fitted with utility-scale energy storage batteries, helping to ensure the continuity of operations at 775 oil wells.
Chinese manufacturer Suntech has confirmed that a proposed new manufacturing facility in South Africa remains on hold until details of the fourth round of the country’s national renewable energy programme are finalised.
Solar investors in South Africa are losing confidence in the country's market due to ongoing delays by the government to reveal successful bidders in the latest round of its national renewables procurement programme, claims South African PV Industry Association (SAPVIA) spokesman Wido Schnabel.
