The government of Burundi has granted approval for the expansion of the Mubuga solar photovoltaic park located near the capital city of Gitega. The move is part of the country’s focus on solar photovoltaic energy to increase its installed capacity.
The park, initially built under a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Burundian government and Gigawatt Global, is set to double its capacity in the coming months. The park, currently capable of generating 7.5 MWp (megawatt-peak), has been operational since May 2021.
The plant’s construction was carried out by the French company Voltalia, under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) agreement awarded by Gigawatt Global, a renewable energy producer based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Mubuga solar power plant
According to Gigawatt Global, the Mubuga solar power plant currently supplies up to 10% of Burundi’s electricity and has the capacity to serve approximately 87,600 Burundians. This project is the first successful venture by an independent power producer (IPP) in Burundi and represents the largest international private investment in the country’s electricity sector in nearly three decades.
The local subsidiary of Gigawatt Global, called Gigawatt Global Burundi, feeds the plant’s electricity output into Burundi’s national power grid through a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Régie de Production et Distribution d’Eau et d’Électricité (REGIDESO), the state-owned water and electricity company. President Ndayishimiye emphasized the increased energy security provided by the solar field, which enables reliable operation of agro-industries.
During the initial phase of the Mubuga solar project, Gigawatt Global received support from various financial partners, including the investment company Inspired Evolution, the Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP), and the U.S. Corporation for International Development Finance (DFC), among others.
[…] The government of Burundi has granted approval for the expansion of the Mubuga solar photovoltaic park located near the capital city of Gitega. The move is part of the country’s focus on solar photovoltaic energy to increase its installed capacity. The park, initially built under a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Burundian government and Gigawatt Global, is set to double its capacity in the coming months. The park, currently capable of generating 7.5 MWp (megawatt-peak),… Read More… […]
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