African Development Bank backs €26.5m (appox. US$29mn) Sokodé solar plant to boost Togo’s renewable energy capacity. (Image source: African Development Bank)

The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a financing package of €26.5 million (appox. US$29mn) to support the construction of a 62 MW peak greenfield solar photovoltaic power plant in Sokodé, Togo

This funding comprises a loan of up to €18.5 million (approx. US$20.3mn) from the African Development Bank and a concessional loan of up to €8 million (approximately US$8.8 million) from the Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). Additionally, PROPACO, the French development finance agency dedicated to fostering private sector growth in emerging markets, will provide co-financing, making the €61 million (approx. US$67mn) project a prime example of effective public-private partnership.

The project is vital to Togo’s ambition of installing 200 MWp of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It will accelerate the nation’s transition away from expensive and polluting thermal power generation, strengthening energy security and reliability, and speeding progress toward universal electricity access by 2030.

Kevin Kariuki, vice-president for power, energy, climate, and green growth at the African Development Bank, said, “The Sokodé solar project is a landmark achievement that highlights Togo’s strong commitment to the transition to renewable energy in line with the Togo M300 energy compact under preparation, and the Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting clean energy projects across the continent.” He emphasised that the project will not only advance Togo’s renewable energy goals but also stimulate local economic growth and improve the country’s energy security and reliability.

The project, developed by Meridiam and the French multinational utility Électricité de France, includes the design, construction, and operation of the greenfield solar plant along with an 11 km transmission line in Sokodé. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 87 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, providing clean, reliable, and affordable power to local communities while addressing energy shortages. It will also reduce annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 13,600 tons, supporting Togo’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

SEFA’s involvement in the Sokodé Solar PV Project underscores the economic viability of renewable energy and is expected to encourage further investments in clean energy across the region.

This initiative also aligns with Togo's M300 energy compact by promoting least-cost power generation through competitive bidding and increasing private sector participation. It supports the African Development Bank Group’s “Light Up and Power Africa” agenda to deliver sustainable and inclusive energy solutions continent-wide.

Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled announces shift to privatised power generation model at Invest in African Energy Forum. (Image source: Energy Capital & Power)

Mauritania is pushing ahead with plans to fully privatise its power generation sector, with bids expected in the next two to three weeks for a new independent power plant linked to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project

The announcement was made by Mohamed Ould Khaled, minister of petroleum and energy, at the Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris.

“All new power generation projects in Mauritania will be private. State-owned companies will no longer be involved in power generation,” said the minister. He added that two IPP (independent power producer) projects currently underway, both fuelled by domestic gas, will supply a combined 550 MW to the national grid within the next few years.

This shift is part of a wider effort to tap into the country’s gas and renewable energy potential to drive industrial growth, improve access to electricity, and support inclusive economic development.

“We want to develop large-scale natural gas and renewable energy resources. We want to expand affordable, clean power access to our people and industries and power inclusive economic growth, especially to unleash our mining potential.”

Mauritania currently has 57% energy access and aims to reach full national coverage by 2030. According to the Minister, the GTA gas project – developed jointly with Senegal – will play a major role, fuelling a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant in each country as part of its first phase.

The Minister said Mauritania is well-positioned to become a leader in Africa’s energy space and beyond, thanks to its mix of gas, solar and wind resources, and proximity to Europe. He also highlighted the country’s leadership in green hydrogen, backed by updated regulatory frameworks.

“Mauritania holds the largest pipeline of green hydrogen projects in Africa, which are designed not only to export molecules, but to catalyse industrialisation in Mauritania and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. We have the potential to produce 12 million tons of green hydrogen production per year, with wind speeds of 10 metres per second and amazing solar.”

“To support this transformation, we have completely modernised our framework,” the minister continued. “We have opened up the electricity sector to private investments, introduced a new local content policy, and implemented new PPP and investment codes. Additionally, we have launched Africa’s first green hydrogen code, which provides clarity and long-term stability for investors.”

Looking forward, Mauritania’s broader energy roadmap includes further development of the BirAllah gas field – another major deepwater discovery – expansion of the GTA project to reach 10 million tons of LNG annually, increased regional electricity trade, and continued investment in the mining sector.

As reported by Energy Capital & Power, these developments mark a pivotal moment in Mauritania’s energy journey.

Grid Africa partners with TCL Solar to deploy distributed energy solutions in Zimbabwe, Zambia

In a significant move to tackle the growing energy crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, Grid Africa has joined forces with TCL Solar to introduce cutting-edge distributed energy solutions across Zimbabwe and Zambia

This partnership aims to harness solar and battery storage technologies to rapidly improve energy security and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with a severe energy shortage, with numerous countries struggling to meet the increasing demand for stable electricity.

Norman Moyo, CEO of Grid Africa, stressed the importance of adopting innovative solutions.

"There is a solution to the crisis if we embrace new emerging technologies that are immediately available and quick to deploy. We have a unique opportunity to reverse engineer our over-reliance on utilities by deploying distributed solutions that leverage existing transmission and distribution infrastructure. Just as we successfully revolutionised telecommunications with GSM technology, we can apply the same mindset to solve our energy security challenges."

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions. (Image source: Siemon)

The Siemon Company has announced a major step forward in its sustainability efforts, achieving a 52.5% absolute reduction in its combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2024

This achievement highlights Siemon’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and reinforces its long-term goal of operating more sustainably while ensuring consistent, reliable product delivery for its global customers.

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions from 271 to 195 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and a significant reduction in Scope 2 emissions from 1,163 to 486 tonnes over the same period.

These improvements are the result of a comprehensive strategy that included extensive energy audits to identify and address inefficiencies, a shift toward renewable energy, especially solar power, and widespread upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems to enhance overall energy efficiency. Siemon also rolled out robust waste reduction and recycling initiatives and made targeted improvements to its manufacturing processes to support lower energy consumption and emissions.

These efforts form part of the company’s broader ESG strategy, which includes setting science-based targets and collaborating with supply chain partners on sustainable practices.

Looking ahead, Siemon plans to continue investing in advanced energy technologies and maintain its transparent reporting practices to ensure accountability and help customers meet their own climate goals.

“We are proud to announce this significant reduction in our GHG emissions as a critical step in our decarbonisation journey. Our commitment to innovative energy solutions and continuous improvement in operational efficiency is a testament to our proactive approach in addressing climate change. By investing in renewable energy, optimising processes, and engaging in comprehensive energy audits, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainability in our industry and building a more resilient and efficient supply chain to better serve our customers in the long run”, said John Siemon, chief technology officer and chief operations officer, Siemon.