Page 13 - AfrElec Week 28 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

commissioning of the 1.52MWp/2.28MWh imports sources of energy to Burkina and
Solar Microgrid System and Energy have a major impact on the quality of service
Retrofitting of the Federal Ministry of Works provided by Société?Nationale?d’électricité?du
and Housing Headquarters, in Mabushi, TRADING Burkina Faso,” explains François De
Abuja. Salles?Ouédraogo, General Director
The solar microgrid system was Trading energy in West of?Burkina Faso’s national electricity
commissioned on Tuesday, 6 July 2021, by company. ??
the President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, Africa?to?benefit?the entire The project also supported the
who was represented by the Secretary to reinforcement of the transmission grid in
Government of the Federation, Mr Boss region?? Ghana and the electrification of rural areas in
Mustapha. Burkina Faso.??
The President noted that “This 1.5MW West Africa has significant energy resources. The result has been a significant increase
solar farm, which is the largest solar project The region accounts for about one-third of in Ghana’s ability to export electricity. And
for a public building in Africa will enable us African gas and oil reserves and over 23,000 in Burkina Faso, the cost of electricity was
to reduce carbon emissions and we are proud MW of technically exploitable hydropower reduced from?$0.26 per kWh to?$0.20
that we are contributing to saving the climate capacity. However, a key challenge has been per kWh and power outages have been
for future generations.” distribution: the major sources of electricity reduced.???
President Buhari stressed that access to supply are located far away from the main Access to electricity in rural areas has
electricity would improve service delivery centers of consumption.?? also been enhanced. The construction of
in the public sector and will translate into The West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) the distribution network and connection
the ease of doing business “which is a major programme was conceived to help address of households has provided 25 poor areas
objective of our economic plans to grow the this problem. Doing so is a critical part of in the outskirts of Ouagadougou and along
Nigerian economy and create jobs. improving access to energy in a region where the 188 km transmission line with access to
The UN Deputy Secretary General much of the population has relied on firewood electricity. This has, in turn, helped power
further disclosed that 759mn people in the and charcoal to meet their energy needs.??? local economic activities for women along the
world still lack access to electricity and all At the start of the WAPP programme, corridor.??
the opportunities it brings for achieving the Burkina Faso had one existing Notably, other WAPP member countries,
sustainable development goals. 2.6bn people interconnection with Côte d’Ivoire. But there particularly Mali and Niger, are to benefit
lack access to clean fuels and technology for was potential to significantly boost supply from Burkina Faso’s increased ability to
cooking, lighting or heating their homes. from another neighbor—Ghana. In Ghana, import power from Ghana.??
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of electricity was produced from hydro and Going forward, IDA continues to support
this launch ceremony today, which highlights thermal plants. This relatively low-cost gas/ the scale-up of electrification across the
Nigeria’s commitment to the energy transition hydro energy mix had the potential to feed WAPP sub-region?to?improve?access?to th
with renewables. She added. into cross-border electricity exchanges across e?energy?needed?for?West?Africa’s?socio-
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. WAPP zones, bringing financial benefits to economic advancement.???
Babatunde Fashola said that “What we have Ghana and much needed power to neighbors WORLD BANK
delivered, based on the mandate of the Federal like Burkina Faso.???
Executive Council, is a 1.52MW solar system The first phase of the IDA-supported
that will provide uninterrupted power supply International Transmission Hub
to five blocks housing the Ministry of Works Project?aimed to increase Ghana’s electricity
and Housing and Ministry of Environment export capacity, on the one hand, and reduce
and Lands.” the cost of electricity supply to Burkina Faso,
He added that the project employed 382 on the other. This was achieved through the
artisans and 176 skilled workers throughout development of a transmission line between
its duration, as this was in fulfilment of Bolgatanga in Ghana and Ouagadougou in
the government’s Economic Recovery and Burkina Faso. ??
Growth Plan of creating jobs. “The interconnection will diversify the

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