Page 13 - AsianOil Week 29 2020

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at 8.9
cents.
The implementation of Nek’s mega-wind
project is expected to help diversify Ghana’s
electricity mix, which is dominated by
thermal power (close to 2,800MW) generated
by large fossil-fuel-fired power plants.
Hydropower comes second with an installed
capacity of 1,580MW according to the United
States Agency for International Development
(USAID). Hydropower production is,
however, strongly affected by “changing
hydrological conditions,” such as declining
river flows.
The government of the West African
country should therefore rely on alternative
sources such as solar and wind power to
provide electricity to its people.

WIND
Tunisia invests in major

wind farm as part of long-

term renewable energy plan

UPC Renewables (UPC) and the Climate
Fund Managers (CFM) have partnered to protection guidelines.” Solar energy should make this Swiss
develop a 30MW wind farm in Sidi Mansour, Sebastian Surie, CFM’s regional head of diplomatic representation, which covers
Tunisia that will help the country meet its 30% Africa, added: “CFM is thrilled to partner Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, more
renewable energy target by 2030. with a leading wind developer in the Sidi environmentally friendly. The installation of
Tunisia announced the launch of its solar Mansour Wind Project to assist Tunisia the solar power plant “is timely in view of the
energy plan in 2016, aiming to increase the in meeting its renewable energy goals. As effects of climate change, which are of great
role of renewables in its electricity generation potentially the first Wind IPP in Tunisia, concern to all stakeholders worldwide, and
mix ten-fold to 30%, this Project will be a testament to how CI1’s represents another major step forward in the
This Sidi Mansour Project will help full life-cycle financing solution can unlock history of Switzerland’s investment in the
Tunisia meet its goals, reducing its reliance investment in renewable energy in new Agenda 2030 for sustainable development,”
on imported fossil fuels and demonstrating markets.” says the Swiss Embassy in Harare.
to the world that it is serious about further The project will not only provide electricity, In addition to supplying electricity to the
development of renewable energy investment. but also reduce CO2 emissions by up to embassy and its residences, the new solar
This project will also be among the 56,645 tonnes and create some 100 new jobs. system will also enable a car to be recharged.
country’s first Independent Power Producers The surplus electricity will be sold to the state-
(IPP). CFM is acting as sponsor, financial owned Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission
adviser and co-developer on the project, and Distribution Company (ZETDC), in
while UPC will lead the development SOL AR accordance with its new provision allowing
with its local team. The team will be in private individuals to sell their surplus
charge of permitting, grid connection, land Swiss embassy in Harare electricity generated from the autonomous
securitisation, assessment of wind resources, solar systems.
contract procurement and engineering. acquires 160kWp solar The Swiss diplomatic representation in
UPC was selected under the “Authorisation Harare adopted solar energy 10 years ago
Scheme” tender for the project in 2016 and system with the installation of a first electricity
promptly signed a power purchase agreement production unit. Since then, this source of
with Société Tunisienne Electricité et du Gaz The Swiss Embassy in Harare, like many green energy has almost become a trend
(STEG). government agencies and companies in among Zimbabwean-based institutions and
Brian Caffyn, chairman of UPC Group, Zimbabwe, has recently commissioned a solar companies seeking to reduce their electricity
said: “We can start the construction of the photovoltaic system. Consisting of several bills or to reduce the impact of ZETDC power
Sidi Mansour wind farm in 2020, helping solar panels, the system has a capacity of cuts.
stimulate the Tunisian economy, create local 160kWp, a quantity of electricity that will It is in this context that Schweppes
jobs and a social plan for local communities cover all the needs of the embassy and the Africa Holding, a subsidiary of soft drinks
while respecting international environmental related residences. manufacturer Schweppes, has installed a

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