Guinea-Bissau’s first solar power plants has been launched. The World Bank has initiated plans to support the development whose aim is to decarbonize the country’s electricity production and enhancing electrification.
The project involves construction several solar power plants near the capital, Bissau, including a 30 MWp solar power plant. The plants will feature battery storage system to manage energy distribution effectively and support the electricity system.
The government of Guinea-Bissau will also support the installation and operation by private partners of mini-grids on two or three of the Bijagós islands (Bolama, Rubane and Bubaque). The mini grids will be powered by renewable energies. Around 500 kWp of solar photovoltaic capacity combined with batteries or diesel generators. These installations will supply electricity to 1,200 households, shops, hotels and other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Benefits
A sum of US $30M will be issued in form a grant by the World Bank Group for the project while the International Development Association (IDA) will support with a US $35M funding followed by a US $2.65M grant from the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). For its part, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is pledging US $10.5M to implement the Solar Energy Development and Access to Electricity Project.
This project marks a transformative move for Guinea-Bissau, promising to enhance the quality of life for its residents through improved and affordable access to electricity, while also promoting environmental sustainability and economic development. Upon completion the project aims to increase the electrification rate in Guinea-Bissau, where currently only 33% of the population has access to electricity, with a slightly higher rate of 58% in the capital, Bissau.