Montreal-based firm finalizes deal for 20-MW solar plant in Burkina Faso
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Windiga Energy also signed deal in Mauritania to build 15-megawatt waste-to-energy plant there
MONTREAL—The Canadian company building a 20-megawatt solar plant in Burkina Faso said it has signed a power purchase agreement with the African nation’s electricity utility, greenlighting construction.
Windiga Energy Inc. said it signed the deal with Socite Nationale d’electricite du Burkina Faso (SONABEL), the country’s national electricity company, for the plant slated for Mouhoun province in the country’s east.
“Windiga Energy is committed to providing innovative accessible energy solutions to Africa, key to the continent’s economic development,” Benoit La Salle, president and CEO of Windiga, said in a statement. “We are confident that by working in concert with governments, our experience and expertise will provide vital support to African countries in their quest for energy independence.”
The signing of the power purchase agreement was the final step in the authorization process, which now gives the company the green light to start construction of facility.
Expected to produce 34 gigawatt-hours of power annually, the solar plant will be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Windiga.
Windiga will also be the first independent power producer in Burkina Faso.
The company said it is now focused on finalizing financing deals for the project.
Northwest of Burkina Faso in Mauritania, Windiga said it signed a preliminary agreement with Societe Mauritanienne d’electricite (SOMELEC), that country’s national electricity company, for the construction and operation of a waste-to-energy plant.
The deal outlines the terms and conditions of a 30-year power purchase agreement for a 15-megawatt waste-to-energy plant in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.
Windiga said it has also signed a preliminary agreement with a local municipality for the supply of waste to the plant.
