In a move to increase the energy generation capacity in Burkina Faso, the African Development Bank (AfDB) - under its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), has committed $7million (€6 million) concessional finance package for the development of the 18 MW Dédougou Solar Power Plant.
According to the AfDB, the package consists of a $3 million (€2,5 million) senior concessional loan and a $4 million (€3,5 million) reimbursable grant, complemented by a combination of subordinated and senior loans from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank.
Developed by the renewable energy company Qair Group, the project follows a 24 MW solar plant built in 2023 in Zano, Boulgou province.
The Dédougou Solar Power project aligns with the AfDB-led Desert-to-Power initiative which aims to turn the Sahel region (which encompasses parts of ten countries, including Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Sudan) into the world’s largest solar power zone.
The solar project is listed as a priority in Burkina Faso’s national Desert-to-Power roadmap. It is among the first independent power producers in the country and operates under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the national utility, Société Nationale d’Électricité du Burkina Faso, said the bank.
Once operational, the plant will help diversify Burkina Faso's energy mix, and is expected to reduce electricity costs, boost access to reliable, affordable electricity, supporting economic growth and local livelihoods.
Additionally, the project prioritises sustainability through a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management System, ensuring responsible operations and mitigating potential environmental and social risks, notes AfDB.
Abdoulaye Toure, CFO of Qair Africa, said, “We are deeply grateful to both institutions for their continued trust and support, which enable us to deliver impactful renewable energy infrastructure in the region. After commissioning our first 24 MW solar plant in Zano in 2023, this second project in Dédougou reflects our expanding footprint and aligns with Qair’s long-term strategy to accelerate the energy transition across Africa.”
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