Niger Signs Deal for 200 MW Solar Plant with Battery Storage in Niamey

The government of Niger has signed a public-private partnership agreement to develop a 200 MW solar power plant with an integrated battery energy storage system in the capital, Niamey. The agreement was finalized on August 20 between Niger’s Energy Minister Amadou Haoua and Adamou Amadou Daouda, Chief Executive Officer of Niger Electricity Power Production (NEPP).

The project is expected to require an investment of about 126.1 billion CFA francs, equivalent to approximately $205 million to $225 million. It will be developed under a 20-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession. Under the agreement, NEPP will finance, construct, and operate the facility for 20 years before transferring ownership to the Nigerien government.

Project development is expected to take around 24 months. The first six months will focus on additional technical studies and mobilizing the resources required for construction. After commissioning, the solar plant will sell electricity directly to Niger’s state-owned utility, Société Nigérienne d’Électricité (NIGELEC), under a fixed tariff of 35 CFA francs per kWh, equivalent to around 6.2 US cents per kWh.

The integrated battery storage system will play an important role in improving electricity supply in Niamey. It will store surplus solar power produced during periods of strong sunlight and release electricity during peak demand and nighttime hours. This is expected to help stabilize the local grid and reduce the impact of frequent power outages affecting households, businesses, and public facilities.

The project also supports Niger’s efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on external electricity supplies. The country currently relies significantly on thermal power generation and electricity imports from neighboring Nigeria. Increasing domestic renewable generation could help reduce exposure to supply disruptions and lower electricity-related costs.

The 200 MW project is also aligned with Niger’s target of increasing the contribution of renewable energy, mainly solar and wind, to 30% of the national power mix by 2030.

In addition to increasing generation capacity, the project is expected to create employment, support technical skills development, and provide opportunities for local businesses. It could also demonstrate how public-private partnerships can help Niger and other countries in the region accelerate renewable energy development, improve grid reliability, and strengthen long-term energy independence.