Dubai-based clean power producer AMEA Power has announced the financial closure for the construction of the Zina solar power plant in Burkina Faso. AMEA Power is building the solar plant in the Mouhoun province through its fully-owned unit Zina Solaire in partnership with the Chinese company Sinohydro.
The 26.6 MW solar project is being financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private sector arm, the IFC-Canada Climate Change Program, along with the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), managed by Ninety One plc.
Upon completion, the Zina solar plant will be the second solar energy project developed by AMEA Power in West Africa, after the 50 MWp Blitta solar power plant in Togo. AMEA Power will sell the electricity produced to Burkina Faso’s national utility SONABEL, under a 25-year power purchase agreement but the detailed project economics is not yet revealed.
IFC’s Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure in Africa, Linda Munyengeterwa, said the investment in the solar project in Burkina Faso is testimony to their sustained commitment to the country’s energy sector and support for the private sector investment in the Sahel countries.
Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of the developer said AMEA Power supports Burkina Faso’s energy transition to solar as a vital measure to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel import for power generation and improve energy supply in off-grid areas.
Burkina Faso has targeted to add 500 MW of capacity by 2025. The Zina solar project is in line with the efforts of the Burkina Faso government to provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy to the people. The solar power plant will impact the lives of more than 43,000 Burkinabes and is expected to cut 13,200 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
