Djibouti sees 300-MW solar complex enter construction phase

Construction work began last week at the site of the 300-MW solar power complex in Grand Bara, the Republic of Djibouti.

The first stone was laid on January 14 by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

The nation’s first grid-connected solar project will be implemented in six 50-MW stages. The USD-390-million (EUR 358m) project was developed by the Republic of Djibouti in partnership with German renewable energy firm Green Enesys. The development will be financed through a Programme Partnership Arrangement, according to a press release published today.

The first of the 50-MW solar parks that will make up the complex is seen to be completed by the end of the year, Energy Minister Ali Yacoub Mahamoud told Reuters. It will be selling its output to Electricite de Djibouti, the minister said, as cited by the news agency.

Djibouti aims to meet all of its energy needs with renewables by the next decade. At present, about 65% of the energy used in the African country comes from a renewable source. Djibouti is prioritising its geothermal electricity generation programme but is also undertaking wind, solar and wave power projects.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.918)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!