The government of Benin has decided to power all its ministries and the Presidency with solar energy. This decision falls in line with its strategy to cut power consumed by public institutions in order for more power to be available in the national grid.

In 2010, public institutions consumed 89 MW which represented 40% of power supplied by the country’s power utility, the SBEE. Energy saved through the policy will power thousands of homes across the nation. “Solar power will become an alternative to insure the continuous supply of power to administrative institutions and help satisfy populations’ needs in power,” said the secretary general to the Presidency and minister of State, Pascal Iréée Koupaki.

The government added that all new constructions of public institutions would integrate solar power installations.

Gwladys Johnson