Page 16 - AfrElec Week 26 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

three years.
SolarAid’s ambition is to use clean, safe,
and simple solar lighting to combat poverty
and climate change so that no home, school or
clinic in Africa is left in the dark by 2030.
Statkraft acquired Solarcentury in
November 2020, which founded SolarAid
in 2006 and Statkraft will now continue the
relationship.
Through the partnership with SolarAid,
Statkraft will support progress to reach the
seventh UN Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) to “ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all”.
For the first time since 2013 the number of
people who do not have access to electricity
in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to increase
and could reach as reach as many as 630mn
if economic recovery slows, and action is not
taken.
The donations from Statkraft will increase
access to solar light and power for families
and communities currently dependent on
expensive, dangerous, and toxic lighting
megawatts, it can only maintain such a high investigation agency, ANAPI, the southwest sources such as candles, and kerosene.
output for limited periods each day since Katanga region supplies about two-thirds of Solar lighting saves money, reduces carbon
water is still rationed for the power station, the world’s total cobalt and houses some of the emissions and allows people to safely work,
and a larger base-load from Hwange is needed world’s richest copper mines. study and socialise after sunset.
to underpin the Kariba flexibility to have Katanga currently has access to 567 Statkraft’s donations will be used to fight
continuous supplies in all areas. megawatts of installed capacity, far short of poverty and climate change as SolarAid works
its total electricity demand of 900-megawatts. to ensure that every home, school and clinic in
The mining industry alone requires about 600 Africa has access to clean, safe, solar lighting
megawatts, ANAPI stated, while adding that and power by 2030.
SOL AR only about 9% of Congolese have access to Statkraft CEO Christian Rynning-
electricity supply. Tonnesen said: “548mn people live without
China to back DRC solar headed by Song Dongsheng, the ex-chairman the benefit of electricity in sub-Saharan
For those unaware, Green Power Capital is
Africa. Solar power is a simple and cost-
Societe Nationale dElectricite (SNEL), of Chinese state-owned engineering and effective solution for those who have no
the national electricity company of the construction company Sinohydro Corp., as choice but to rely on expensive and toxic
Democratic Republic of Congo, has reportedly per a statement. kerosene or dangerous candles.
signed two purchase agreements for a total Sinohydro has several infrastructure and “We are delighted to be working with
200-megawatt solar power with a local unit mining investments in Congo, including a charity with such a critical mission. This
of Financing Access Congo, Bloomberg the Sicomines cobalt and copper mines in partnership was sparked with the acquisition
reported. Kolwezi. of Solarcentury in 2020, and we are happy to
The China-based Green Power Capital Meanwhile, China’s engineering and design work with SolarAid to help ensure access to
investment has teamed up with Brazzaville’s service company OTEC Engineering, which modern energy for all.”
Financing Access Congo to back the solar is a project developer & solutions provider in SolarAid CEO John Keane added: “We’re
power project, which will cost an estimated sectors of solar power and hydropower will delighted that our long and successful
$305mn, according to sources. also be working on the project, cited sources partnership will continue now that
The solar fields are expected to be installed close to the matter. Solarcentury has merged into Statkraft.
near the cobalt and copper mining hubs of “While grid electrification is not going to
Likasi and Kolwezi. reach most of rural sub-Saharan Africa in our
Chief Executive Officer at SNEL, Jean- lifetimes, the solar light revolution is taking
Bosco Kayombo Kayan, was quoted saying SOL AR place right now, helping light up millions of
that the projects will provide the residents homes, which would otherwise be kept in the
around the two cities with better power access. Statkraft donates $2mn to dark. Together we can end the darkness.”
This will also ensure a continuous supply
of electricity to zonal industries including SolarAid
mining organisations, which are pivotal to
the economies of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga Statkraft has entered into a partnership with
provinces. SolarAid and intends to support the charity
According to Congo’s national with donations totalling $2mn to be paid over

P16 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 26 01•July•2021