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a legitimate place in the Security Council. It International Solar Alliance (ISA). ArcelorMittal asks IPP to
is bound to set a bad precedent and opens a India’s ambassador to Mali, Anjani Kumar,
Pandora’s box. This council should not be a said, “Given India’s own massive push bid for solar contracts
forum for exerting diplomatic pressure,” said towards cleaner and greener energy and its
Taye Atskeselassie Amde. global leadership through International Solar ArcelorMittal South Africa, a subsidiary
Alliance, there is growing synergy between of ArcelorMittal Holdings is inviting the
India’s expertise and the stated policy and country’s Independent Power Producers
needs of Mali regarding solar and other forms (IPPs) to participate in a request for
RENEWABLES of clean energy.” information process for the supply and
Mali is a landlocked country in the Sahel management of several photovoltaic power
Portugal’s EDP backs eight region of West Africa with a population of plants at its operating sites.
IPPs have until August 28, 2020 to express
about 20mn. With an area of 1,241,248 square
renewable projects across km, it is the 8th largest country in Africa their interest.
ArcelorMittal South Africa, the subsidiary
which is about 1/3rd the size of India.
Africa great Sahara Desert and arid landscape. And, of ArcelorMittal Holdings, one of the world’s
About 65% of its area is covered by the
leading steel companies, aims to introduce
Portuguese renewable energy company EDP has excellent potential for the development renewable energy into its energy mix to
has announced EUR500,000 in funding to of solar energy projects to meet its growing “significantly reduce the price of electricity,
help Africa accelerate its uptake of renewable energy needs. improve its control of inputs and ensure a
energy. As per the African Development Bank stable and secure supply of electricity for its
EDP will sponsor the deployment of eight (AfDB), Mali’s estimated solar irradiation is operations”, said Kobus Verster, the managing
renewable energy projects in five countries. well distributed across the country with the director of ArcelorMittal South Africa.
The funding has been issued through the prospect of generating about 5-7/kWh/m2 per The South African company has decided
Access to Energy (A2E) Fund and will finance day with about 7 to 10 hours of sunlight a day. to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement
projects in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, This is regarded to be well above the typical (PPA) with one or more IPPs to build, own
Nigeria and Malawi. global average of 4-5/kWh/m2 per day. and operate several photovoltaic power plants
The eight projects are expected to benefit Mali’s National Action Plan for Renewable at its six operational sites (Vanderbijlpark,
more than 1mn people. Energies (PANER) aims to increase the Newcastle, Vereeniging, Pretoria, Thabazimbi
The financing aims to promote access installed capacity of renewable energies to and Saldanha). It is a long-term electricity
to clean energy, particularly in remote and about 1.42 GW by 2030 which is about nine supply contract between two parties (a
underprivileged areas, and to help tackle times its current installed capacity in 2010. producer and a buyer).
energy poverty in Africa. The country aims to increase the share of “The power plants in Vanderbijlpark will
The financial support is part of a global renewable energy in the national electricity have a capacity of 10 MW and 100 MW, while
strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, which has led mix to 25% by 2033. As per International the other sites will each have 10 MW plants.
the company to invest in several projects in Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), it only Land for the photovoltaic plants will be made
the region. had 20 MW of cumulative installed solar available by ArcelorMittal South Africa for the
The projects set to benefit from the funding capacity by the end of 2019. PPIs,” says the company.
range from the installation of solar panels to
the creation of innovative irrigation systems.
With three projects, Kenya stands out in
the list of selected organisations followed by
Malawi, with two organisations.
In Kenya, Dadreg has submitted a 15 kWp
solar energy system for a community training
centre in Nairobi. This system will allow
980 young people from an underprivileged
neighbourhood to get professional training for
paid jobs. It will also contribute to reducing
energy costs by 70%.

SOL AR
India to build 500MW of

solar in Mali

India’s National Thermal Power Corporation
Limited (NTPC) has won the Project
Management Consultancy (PMC) contract
for the development of 500MW Solar Park
in Mali as a private investment initiative of

P14 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 26 02•July•2020