The Gabonese government authorities have signed a framework agreement with Solen for the construction of a 120 MWp solar PV plant. The solar power facility is planned to be located in Ayémé Plaine, Estuaire province.
The new solar power project was signed by Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the Gabonese Minister of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, and Praveen Pai, Solen’s Director of Operations. According to the agreement, Solen will be in charge of the construction of the solar PV plant. The plant will be commissioned in two phases of 60 MWp each.
According to Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the solar power plant is intended to improve the electricity mix of the region, and offers a competitive energy source as well as an effective solution to the problem of load shedding.
Solen will also train the staff of the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), the leading water, sanitation, and electricity service provider of the country, in the operation of solar power production facilities.
Out of the total electricity production in Gabon, 50% is generated from natural gas. The other half of the electricity in the national grid is produced by oil-fired power plants and hydroelectric plants, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Gabon intends to increase its total installed electricity capacity by developing its renewable energy capacity. The government aims to increase the renewable energy share in its electricity mix up to 80% by 2030. The short-term target for the country is to increase the electricity generation capacity by 250 MW by the year 2023.
Solar energy is a major asset to boost the total installed capacity of Gabon. The country is already attracting IPPs such as the French company Total Eren, which wants to produce a 50 MWp solar power plant near the capital Libreville. Also, the Emirati Amea Power is negotiating a solar project of 50 MWp in Oyem, Woleu-Ntem province.
