Africa & Middle East

De Aar 3, an 85MW solar project said to be the largest solar farm in South Africa using thin-film modules, has been completed.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to provide a €23 million (US$29.5 million) loan for solar development in West Africa.

Solar Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) leader GlassPoint Solar is set to receive a US$53 million equity investment from the State General Reserve Fund –- Oman’s largest sovereign wealth fund – Royal Dutch Shell and other investors.

The Eilat Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative (EEREI) has opened the tendering process for a 50MW PV project in Israel that could also provide power to neighbouring Jordan.

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance 1.8GW of renewable power capacity will be commissioned in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2014.

Dubai Electricity and Water has shortlisted developers for the tender for the 100MW second phase of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Italian energy and waste management company TerniEnergia has signed a deal to develop two solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 148.5MWp in South Africa.

The new South African subsidiary of module maker Suntech could include local manufacturing, according to the company.

A former Pakistani technology minister has attacked a new tax that has left containers full of imported solar equipment reportedly stranded at ports in the Asian country.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, and governor of the city of Luxor, Tarek Saad Eddin, inaugurated two solar power plants on Saturday, according to local news reports.