- The government of Togo has inaugurated the 50MW Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed solar power plant which was financed under the IRENA-ADFD Project Facility.
- The new plant has the capacity to power electricity to nearly 160,000 homes and small businesses, significantly reducing the country’s dependence on firewood, charcoal and fuel imports for energy consumption.
- The plant was built by Amea Togo Solar – a subsidiary of Amea Power, a global renewables developer based in the United Arab Emirates
“Renewables are at the heart of our national energy goals and are a vital component of our broader social development and economic growth ambitions,” said Mila Aziablé, Minister Delegate to the President of the Togolese Republic, in charge of Energy and Mines. “This is a very significant moment our country. It marks a positive step on our journey towards building an energy system that is inclusive and clean, and that creates jobs and improves access to energy. Renewables can shape an entirely new and positive era in the development of Togo, and we are extremely grateful to all the partners involved in delivering this project.”
Related news: Construction starts on 50MW solar project in Togo
The project created more than 700 local jobs during the construction phase and a further 120 direct and indirect jobs during operation, contributing to Togo’s long-term socio-economic development. Through the IRENA-ADFD Facility, ADFD provided USD 15 million of finance in the form of a concessionary loan. The plant was developed by AMEA Togo Solar, a subsidiary of AMEA Power – a global renewable energy developer based in the UAE.
Togo currently has an installed capacity of 230 MW made up of 164MW geothermal and 66MW of hydro power. The small country has a population of just under 8 million. Only 35% of the population have access to electricity.
IRENA remained heavily involved in the project throughout the process, brokering discussions between the Togolese government, ADFD and AMEA Power, and presenting solutions to construction and financing challenges. The project was completed ahead of schedule despite the challenges associated with COVID-19 restrictions and the resulting economic slowdown.
With a population of some 8.2 million people, Togo has traditionally relied on biomass as the dominant source of energy, which is a major contributor to pollution in the country. National production capacity has been insufficient to cover demand, leaving Togo reliant on expensive energy imports from neighboring countries including Ghana and Nigeria. Togo expects to significantly cut fossil energy consumption as well as energy imports in the coming years.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
