Senelec breaks ground on 15 MW PV plant in Senegal

Senegal’s national electricity company Senelec announced that construction has begun on a 15 MW PV power plant in Niakhar, western Senegal, reports local press agency Agence de Presse Sénégalaise. The plant will help the region reduce chronic energy shortages as well as improve the local electric grid, Senelec said. The project is part of the government’s »Sénégal émergent (PSE)« plan, an initiative aimed at boosting economic and social development across the country by 2035. The article does not reveal more details about the project. Last year, Senelec signed PPAs with private developers for 150 MW of PV and wind power […]

By Derick Lila January 11, 20150

The plant will help the region reduce chronic energy shortages as well as improve the local electric grid, Senelec said. The project is part of the government’s »Sénégal émergent (PSE)« plan, an initiative aimed at boosting economic and social development across the country by 2035.

The article does not reveal more details about the project. Last year, Senelec signed PPAs with private developers for 150 MW of PV and wind power projects to be installed by 2017.

At the time, the size and number of planned PV projects was not disclosed. The article also reports that Senegal’s government intends to push for more solar energy development, especially for the electrification of rural areas.

As of February 2014, Senegal was home to just 4 MW of operational grid-connected PV capacity.

PHOTON News | January 1, 2015