Name of the Project
Engine-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid power plant project.
Location
The solar PV plant will be located on IAMGold’s Essakane mine site, which is about 330 km north-east of the Burkina Faso’s capital city, Ouagadougou.
The mine produces about 400 000 oz/y of gold. Reliable and sustainable around-the-clock energy is a requisite for an off-grid mine location like this.
Client
Essakane Solar SAS, which is 90% owned by Eren Renewable Energy and 10% by its development partner African Energy Management Platform, will operate the solar PV plant and sell the energy to IAMGold’s Essakane mine.
Project Description
The project entails the construction of a 15 MWp solar power plant adjacent to a 55 MW Wärtsilä power plant currently running on heavy fuel oil.
The solar PV plant and the engine power plant will be controlled and operated in synchronisation, thus forming the largest engine-solar PV hybrid power plant in Africa.
The energy will be sold to IAMGold’s Essakane mine. The off-grid gold mine, located 330 km north-east of Ouagadougou, produces about 400 000 oz/y of gold. Reliable and sustainable around-the-clock energy is a requisite for an off-grid mine location like this.
The ability to control and optimise the usage of engines and solar power will enable the mine to decrease its fuel consumption by about six-million litres a year and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 18 500 t/y.
Jobs to be Created
Not stated.
Value
$20-million.
Duration
The power plant is scheduled to be operational in late 2017.
Latest Developments
The Banque Internationale pour le Commerce and l’Industrie et l’Artisanat du Burkina, a BNP Parbas Group subsidiary, will provide $16.5-million in financing for Eren Renewable Energy for the solar project.
This step marks the financial closure for the project.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Wärtsilä (EPC of the solar PV plant and hybrid plant control system).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Eren Renewable Energy, Margot Le Guen, email margot.leguen@eren-groupe.com.