Canadian firm to build 20MW solar plant in African nation of Burkina
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Solar generation plant in Burkina will be largest in Sub-Saharan Africa when complete
MONTREAL—A Canadian firm says it has signed a deal with Burkina Faso to build the African nation’s first independent solar generation station, a 20-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) plant.
Windiga Energy Inc. said it signed an “investment support agreement” with the Burkina government to build the PV plant in Mouhoun province in the country’s east.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, though Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast said “(the) US$50-million project will help to meet the country’s electricity needs,” according to Windiga.
“We are very pleased with the support that we received from both the governments of Burkina Faso and Canada allowing us to conclude this strategic agreement that will bring about the construction of a major renewable energy project and the launch of the solar energy industry in Burkina Faso,” Windiga president and CEO Benoit La Salle said in a statement.
“This power plant will also contribute to the economic development of the region, employing about 150 Burkinabé workers during the construction phase.”
Windiga said it has selected Siemens AG’s energy division to build and operate the facility.
The company said the signing of the deal with the Burkina government will segue into a finalized power purchase agreement that will see SONABEL, the national electricity company of Burkina, buy the facility’s entire electricity production for 25 years.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2015, the facility will be the largest PV power station in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Founded in 2010, Windiga is an independent energy producer focused mainly on developing renewable energy facilities in Sub-Sarahan Africa.
