Rentia van Tonder, head of power for StandardBankGroup, talks to African Review about the bank’s financial support towards innovative off-grid solutions to meet the future energy needs of Africa
Energy
AfDB approves US$1.5mn grant for Jigawa on-grid IPP solar power procurement programme in Nigeria

Nigeria in resolving the chronic power shortage and ensuring increased access to sustainable and cost-efficient power. (Image source: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay)
African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$1.5mn grant to support the Nigerian government’s implementation of Phase 1 of the Jigawa 1-GW Independent Power Producer (IPP) solar procurement programme
Ansaldo Energia to build an electric power production plant in Tunisia

The electric power production plant aims to provide the relative long term service activities in the North African country. (Image source: CheepShot/Flickr)
Ansaldo Energia has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Société Tunisienne de l’Élecriticité et du Gaz (STEG) to build a 625MW gas-fired open cycle thermoelectric power station in Mornaguia, south-west of Tunis, Tunisia
Engie and Meridiam win two solar photovoltaic projects in Senegal

The construction and the operation of the plants will be managed and executed by Engie. (Image source: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay)
Engie and investment partner Meridiam have been selected by Senegal’s Electricity Sector Regulation Commission (CRSE) as preferred bidder in a tender launched in October 2017 to build two solar photovoltaic projects totalling 60MW
Building Energy to develop wind and hydroelectric plants in Africa

The project is in line with Africa’s initiative to increase renewable energy programmes. (Image source: Hernán Piñera/Flickr)
Building Energy has signed power purchase agreements with the South African state-owned utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd to build, own and operate a 147MW wind plant in Roggeveld and a 4.7MW mini hydroelectric plant in Free State