Masdar’s Sheikh Zayed Solar PV Plant in Nouakchott, Mauritania, has been inaugurated, and is now set to start producing 15 MW of renewable energy to the country’s grid. The new plant consists of 29,826 micromorph thin-film panels, and has been constructed at a cost of US $31.99 million.
Masdar says it has reduced the project’s carbon footprint further by designing the support PV module support structure to be piled into the ground, rather than using a concrete base. The The facility is now accounts for 10 percent of the country’s total electricity capacity.
Mauritania’s electricity is powered almost exclusively by diesel generators, with a total installed capacity of just 144 MW. With energy demand increasing by around 12 percent each year, it is not surprising that the country faces extreme electricity shortfalls in the future.
“This inauguration underscores the important role renewable energy can play to drive comprehensive sustainable development in Africa. This project would not have been possible without the strong support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,” said His Highness Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s Ruler Representative.
“Energy access is a pathway to economic and social opportunity. Electrification, through sustainable sources of energy, is critical in ensuring our people have access to basic services and is a step toward improving our infrastructure and long-term economic development. We are pleased to have partnered with Masdar to successfully deliver Africa’s largest solar PV plant and important facility to meet Mauritania’s growing energy needs,” said Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Mauritania’s President.
