Canadian renewable energy developer Windiga Energy has commissioned a 20MW solar project worth US$50mn in Burkina Faso
With this project, Windiga Energy has become the first independent power producer in the west African country, the company said.
The project will be financed by African Development Bank (AfDB), Frontier Markets Fund Managers and Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, a statement added.
Siemens Smart Generation Solutions has been roped in to build and install the 20MW plant, touted to be the largest photovoltaic (PV) unit in sub-Saharan Africa.
Benoit La Salle, CEO of Windiga Energy, said, ”We are very pleased with the support that we received from 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.”
The PV project is likely to be completed by December 2015 and Windiga Energy officials added they have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 25 years with the National Electricity Company of Burkina (SONABEL).
According to the company website, the Canadian firm is keen to expand operations across Africa, adding that Windiga Energy has plans to set up a 20MW solar PV project in Ghana and a 15MW waste-to-energy plant in Mauritania, for which it has already undertaken a feasability test.
