The third phase of Blitta solar photovoltaic park in Togo is set to be operational by end of this year. Emirati independent power producer (IPP) Amea Power announced the plans and said Phase 3 will make the plant, the biggest solar power plant in West Africa.
The project is part of Togo’s National Development Plan, which is aimed at reducing dependence on power imports. The first and second phase works were undertaken by AMEA Power during the Covid-19 pandemic and completion of both phases took a total of less than 18 months. Both phases started operating in 2021 and are currently operated and maintained by group subsidiary AMEA Technical Services.
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Blitta solar park
Phase 3 involves the installation of a battery storage system to extend the provision of electricity into the night and will increase plant’s capacity from 50 to 70 MWp at the end of the works.
“This project would not be possible without the continued support of the Togolese government, which continues to demonstrate its commitment to renewable energy and access to energy for the Togolese people,” said Hussain Al Nowais, President of Amea Power, at the laying of the foundation stone for the third phase of the project.
The Blitta solar power plant has been named Mohamed Bin Zayed, after the Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The output of the Blitta solar plant is sold to the Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET) under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). According to estimates by its developer Amea Power, the solar plant is capable of supplying 158,333 Togolese households. But after its expansion, the plant should meet the energy needs of at least 222,000 Togolese households.