(Ecofin Agency) - In Senegal, 120 MW of solar power plants will start operating by 2018, said chief of state-run power company (SENELEC), Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé.

“Overall, 120 megawatts of solar power will be added to Senelec’s grid by 2018. This is a fifth of what the company generates. Initially, at least 20% of the country’s energy mix should have come from renewable. We have long passed this objective. It is good news especially with the COP 22 about to be organized in Morocco,” the official said.

Solar projects concerned include the Malicounda plant (20 MW), the Bokhol plant (20 MW), the Medina Dakhar plant (29 MW) and the Santhiou Mekhé plant (30 MW).

To this solar park will add 12 MW generated by Taiba Ndiaye wind station. Totaling a capacity of 150 MW, the plant will produce its first 50 MW in 2018 when it starts operating, thus allowing the country to pass 20% objective for renewable in its energy mix.

Gwladys Johnson