- The Central African Republic (CAR) has commission the 15MW Sakaï solar power plant near the city of Bangui.
- The plant was built by China Energy Construction Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd and funded by the Chinese government.
- This is the first photovoltaic power plant in the Central African Republic.
- The plant will offset around 30% of Bangui’s electricity demand.
“Energy is the basis of everything, because without it we can do nothing. This infrastructure will increase the overall electricity supply in Bangui for the benefit of households, economic development and, in particular, industry,” explains Arthur Bertran Piri, the Central African Minister for Energy Development and Water Resources.
According to the World Bank, CAR has abundant low-cost energy resources, including significant solar potential (5 kWh/m2/day), but these resources remain underdeveloped. The electricity sector is characterized by inadequate infrastructure, a weak policy and regulatory framework, and a utility that is struggling to recover costs and thus maintain and expand its services. Only 14.3% of the country’s population has access to electricity, with rates ranging from approximately 35% in Bangui to about 0.4% in rural areas.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
