Senegal is set to receive a US $23M boost for the development of the Niakhar solar power plant project. The West African Development Bank (BOAD) issued the loan approval to Teranga Niakhar Storage for the project.
The solar power plant will be located south of the commune of Niakhar, in the Fatik region of western Senegal. Teranga Niakhar Storage already has a 59-hectare plot of land allocated for the project by a resolution of the Niakhar municipal council.
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Niakhar solar power plant project
The solar power plant will have a capacity of 30 MWp and equipped with a 15 MW/45 MWh electricity storage system. This will help in storing excess energy generated during the day for use during periods of low sunlight or high demand.
The plant will be built by Omexom, a subsidiary of the French group Vinci, known for its expertise in energy infrastructure projects. The electricity generated by the plant will be sold to Senegal’s state-owned utility, SENELEC.
According to the BOAD, the Niakhar solar power plant is expected to improve the coverage of electricity demand in Senegal and contribute to the country’s electricity supply security. The project is expected to meet the energy needs of approximately 150,000 Senegalese households, making a significant contribution to the country’s energy access goals. Energy Resources Senegal has a larger plan to deploy 500 MW of installed solar capacity in West Africa by 2025. This project is part of that broader initiative.
Senegal currently has a diversified energy mix that includes gas, wind, solar, and biomass. As of the provided information, the country has an installed capacity of 1,555 MW from these sources, with solar playing a growing role.