The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and SkyPower Global have signed a joint development agreement to implement the first phase of an ultimately 1 000 MW capacity solar power project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). AFC is a multilateral pan-African development finance institution focused on catalysing private sector infrastructure development across Africa, while SkyPower is a Canada-based solar energy group.

“Partnering with SkyPower, an institution known for their decades of global experience in large-scale solar projects, is well aligned with our mission to advance energy access on the continent through renewable energy,” affirmed AFC project development and technical solutions senior director Amadou Wadda. “Through this collaboration, we aim to contribute significantly to rapid industrialisation, local job creation, sustainable economic growth and a pragmatic transition to net zero in DRC and Africa as a whole.”

“Partnering with AFC exemplifies a concerted effort toward realising the ambitious goals set by forward-looking countries such as the DRC, aiming for a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone,” highlighted SkyPower president and CEO Kerry Adler. “This agreement underlines AFC’s pivotal contribution to promoting renewable energy solutions and both AFC and SkyPower’s unwavering commitment and dedication to ensuring a greener, more resilient world.”

SkyPower already has a 1 000 MW solar power purchase agreement with the Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL). The SNEL is the State-owned electricity utility of the DRC. The total solar power project has been denominated the Green Giant project by SkyPower.

Phase 1 of the project, covered by the joint development agreement, is for a 200 MW capacity array. All the required land has been allocated and all the necessary approvals have been obtained. Construction should start next year.