Close

Burundi unveils first grid-connected solar project

Note* - All images used are for editorial and illustrative purposes only and may not originate from the original news provider or associated company.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Related stories

Westinghouse Signs MoUs to Advance UK Nuclear Energy Sector

US-based Westinghouse Electric Company has formalised a series of...

Enbridge Announces Two Gas Transmission Projects in the US

Enbridge Inc. announced that it has reached a final...

LatWind Deploys ZX Lidar for EDF in Patagonia

LatWind, a long-standing Trusted Service Provider of ZX Lidars,...

For Owners of Mitsubishi Turbines, Experts say Spares and Repairs are a Quick Fix

For owners of Mitsubishi’s M501G Series turbines, it’s time...

An ambitious project to build a 7.5MW* solar PV power plant in one of the world’s least electrified countries has reached commercial operation.

Located in Mubuga in the Gitega Province, the project – which is the country’s first grid-connected solar project by an independent power producer (IPP) – has added approximately 10% to Burundi’s strained baseload generation capacity.

It has also increased Burundi’s resilience to climate change and improved its energy security by diversifying its energy mix to include solar, since the country currently relies largely on hydropower which is increasingly affected by droughts and imported diesel for gensets.

The project was developed as a public-private partnership between the Government of Burundi and developer Gigawatt Global Coöperatief (Gigawatt) and is expected to pave the way for other renewable energy projects in the country.

Full construction of the plant got underway in January 2020 after the project had become the first REPP-supported grid-connected project to achieve financial close in 2019.

Commercial operation was achieved in 2021 following a series of delays due to COVID-19, and it is estimated that the plant is now supporting the electricity needs of approximately 90,000 people and businesses through the improved stability of the local distribution network.

Around 190 full time jobs were created during construction, of which around a half were held by women, and up to 25 long-term jobs during the ongoing operational phase.

Gigawatt Global is also building a community center powered by solar energy that will offer local access to productive use of electricity. The center will focus on community development through women’s empowerment and youth and employment programs, along with various educational components being developed with local and international NGOs.

REPP has supported the development of the Mubuga project since December 2016, culminating in a construction bridge loan (alongside Evolution II Fund, managed by Inspired Evolution Investment Management) and a subordinated term loan.

As the first of its kind in Burundi, the project has a strong demonstration impact, building capacity within government and strengthening political buy-in and support for small-scale utility renewables, thereby establishing a more viable market for renewable energy projects in the country.

Latest stories

Related stories

Westinghouse Signs MoUs to Advance UK Nuclear Energy Sector

US-based Westinghouse Electric Company has formalised a series of...

Enbridge Announces Two Gas Transmission Projects in the US

Enbridge Inc. announced that it has reached a final...

LatWind Deploys ZX Lidar for EDF in Patagonia

LatWind, a long-standing Trusted Service Provider of ZX Lidars,...

For Owners of Mitsubishi Turbines, Experts say Spares and Repairs are a Quick Fix

For owners of Mitsubishi’s M501G Series turbines, it’s time...

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

Leave Message for Us to Get Back