Mali’s first utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, the 33 MW Segou project, will be built at a cost of $25-million.
The project will increase the country’s installed capacity from renewable resources and will generate 52.7 GWh/y, or about 10% of current generation capacity, over 25 years.
The project will be funded under the Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries funding window of The Climate Investment Funds, with cofinancing from the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Each is contributing $8.4-million.
The project will be implemented by a special-purpose vehicle that is fully owned by the private sector under a 25-year build, own, operate and transfer concession agreement with the government of Mali and a 25-year power purchase agreement with Mali’s national utility, Énergie du Mali.