Last week, Senegal’s Electricity Sector Regulatory Commission announced the winner of the program’s competitive auction to develop two utility-scale solar plants with a total capacity of 60MWac. ENGIE/MERIDIAM was awarded both projects with bids to produce solar power at just €.0380 cents per kWh for the solar plant located in Kahone and €.0398 cents per kWh for the solar plant located in Touba.
Once the plants are built, this will constitute Senegal’s cheapest utility energy source, helping the government meet the objectives of the “Plan Senegal Emergent” by drawing on an abundant renewable resource.
“In Senegal, Scaling Solar once again demonstrates that this innovative approach brings together the IFC and the World Bank, investors, and governments in a transparent, streamlined, and competitive process. The result is great deals for consumers,” said Philippe Le Houérou, IFC’s CEO.
The World Bank Group designed and helped CRSE run the tender, which led to 14 bids for the two projects from eight bidders. This success follows the first Scaling Solar auction in Zambia.
Scaling Solar is now developing over 1 GW of solar power in partnership with four African countries – Zambia, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Senegal. In addition, the program is expanding to new regions with countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East in discussions to join Scaling Solar.
