The distributed renewable energy (DRE) sector, necessary in a world with millions of people without power, is being held back by a chronic shortage of skilled workers. Indeed, Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) has just 16,000 people working in renewable energy in a region with 600 million un-electrified people, according to the founders of a new campaign aiming to fill this skills gap.
French power giant EDF has acquired a 50% stake in the Togo-focused unit of off-grid renewable energy specialist BBOXX, with EDF adding its financial clout to speed up solar home system deployments and its technical expertise to improve the energy storage offering.
Akuo Energy and Norton Rose Fulbright reach financial close on 50MW Mali solar project, BayWa r.e. completes self-consumption solar project in Spain, Solar comes top in European survey, CDPQ increases stake in Azure Power.
Project developers have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Malawian national utility Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) for a 60MW(AC) solar plant.
US government development finance institution Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has committed US$25 million in financing to a fund managed by off-grid solar firm SunFunder, which will provide loans to companies developing off-grid solar products and solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Swiss-headquartered firm Meeco has signed a cooperation agreement with Malagasy company Groupe Filatex to build solar projects in Madagascar, starting with two large-scale projects of 7MW and 8MW capacity and one hybrid solar-diesel project comprising of two 500kW parts.
Tata installs solar system at Mumbai cricket stadium, Azuri and Unilever partner in Kenya to offer pay-as-you-go solar home lighting, BayWa r.e opens renewable energy control centre to support Asia Pacific
Just a few months after Mozambique’s first ever large-scale PV project reached financial close and construction work began, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to pay for a feasibility study for a new project of up to 100MW capacity.
Silicon Module Super League member (SMSL) Canadian Solar has established a joint venture with Chinese firm ET Energy to perform EPC services and supply modules to 132MW of solar projects in South Africa for Africa-based IPP BioTherm Energy.
