Zagtouli Solar Power Station
Zagtouli Solar Power Station, is an operational 33 MW (44,000 hp) solar power plant in Burkina Faso. At the time of its commissioning, in November 2017, it was one of the largest, grid-connected solar power station in West Africa.[1]
| Zagtouli Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
| |
| Country | Burkina Faso |
| Location | Zagtouli, Ouagadougou |
| Coordinates | 12°24′47″N 01°32′54″W |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | November 2016 |
| Commission date | November 2017 |
| Owner(s) | Cegelec |
| Operator(s) | Cegelec |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Site area | 55 hectares (140 acres) |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 33 MW (44,000 hp) |
Location
The development sits on 55 hectares (140 acres) of real estate, in Zagtouli, a northwestern suburb of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso.[1]
Overview
The power station was developed, and is operated by Cegelec, an electricity engineering firm headquartered in Paris, France. Zagtouli Solar Power Station comprises 129,600 solar panels, each rated at 260 watts. The plant is capable of generating 56 gigawatts of electric energy annually. The energy generated at this plant is sold to SONABEL, the national electricity company of Burkina Faso, for integration in the national power grid. The energy produced here costs 45 CFA francs (€0.07) per kilowatt-hour.[2][3]
Ownership
Zagtouli Solar Power Station is owned and operated by Cegelec, based in France, with major activity in France, Brazil, Indonesia, the Middle East and Africa.[3]
Funding
The cost of construction is reported to be €47.5million (US$56.7 million), through a grant and a loan. The table below illustrates the funding sources for Zagtouli Solar Power Station.[1][2][3]
| Rank | Funder | Classification | Amount € (millions) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | European Union | Grant | 25.0 | |
| 2 | French Development Agency | Loan | 22.5 | |
| Total | 47.5 | |||
Other considerations
Burkina Faso is only able to produce 60 percent of the electricity it consumes. The remaining 40 percent in imported from neighboring Ghana and Ivory Coast. The output of this power plant is intended to reduce that energy deficit. In November 2017, there were plans to enlarge the power plant by another 17 megawatts to a total of 50 megawatts.[3]
References
- ESI Africa (29 November 2020). "Burkina Faso unveils Zagtouli solar power plant". Rondebosch, South Africa: ESI Africa Journal.
- Armel Baily and Agence France-Presse (28 November 2017). "Burkina Faso launches Sahel region's largest solar power plant". The Citizen South Africa. Johannesburg. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- Euractiv.com and Agence France-Presse (28 November 2020). "Burkina Faso launches Sahel region's largest solar power plant". Brussels, Belgium: Euractiv.com. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
External links
- Burkina Faso launches Sahel region's largest solar power plant As of November 2017.
- Africa: Solar photovoltaic could reach 30 GW in 2030 As of 22 May 2019.