In Senegal, the Santhiou Mekhe solar power plant, which is said to be the largest in West Africa, has been commissioned on June 23 by President Macky Sall.

Named after the region in which it is built, the plant has a capacity 30MW and was devepoled by French company Solairedirect, Engie’s arm in charge of solar energy.

Electricity produced at the plant will be sold to SENELEC, the country’s power utility under a 25-year agreement.

The project for the infrastructure was concretized as a result of a public-private partnership between PROPARCO, subsidiary of the French Development Agency, and the Sovereign Funds Strategic Investment (FONSIS).

The Santhiou Mekhe power plant was built in line with the government’s goal to bring to 20% the share of renewables in its energy mix this year.

Gwladys Johnson