South African’s Letsatsi and Lesedi solar projects get $564 million

Two solar photovoltaic projects in South Africa’s Free State and the Northern Cape will be delivering renewable energy for more than 50,000 homes in the region by mid-2014. A consortium comprising solar power developer SolarReserve; South African investment and financial advisors Kensani Group; and South African renewable energy developer Intikon Energy closed $586 million in financing for...

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African region’s wind energy resource better compared with other countries

Africa has a huge wind energy reserve just waiting to be tapped compared with other developing regions, a study presented before an economic conference concerning the region shows. According to a paper presented at the 2012 African Economic Conference, out of the 27 developing countries across all continents that hold the highest potential for wind energy, eight are in the African region. These are Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Mauritania, Egypt, Madagascar, Kenya and Chad...

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Mauritania’s solar capacity promising, says Masdar

Masdar has plans to build a 15-megawatt solar power project in Nouakchott, the capital city of Western African country Mauritania. According to Masdar, the proposed project, along with renewable energy projects in Tonga and Afghanistan, is part of a slew of efforts in recognition of the United Nations’ “Year of Sustainable Energy for All,” a worldwide initiative for universal access to modern energy services...

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Peru’s first large scale wind farms rising in 2013

The first large-scale wind farms in Peru will become commercially operational by the fourth quarter of 2013. ContourGlobal, a New York-based international power generation company, announced that their subsidiary ContourGlobal Latam S.A. has acquired the planned Cupisnique and Talara wind farms from Energia Eolica S.A. The two wind farms will be Peru’s largest wind installations and the largest wind...

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U.K. to boost renewable energy in Tanzania

Nineteen British companies are set to boost Tanzania’s renewable energy sector, particularly solar, wind and geothermal power that all have vast energy prospects to match the African country’s energy demands. Using its International Climate Fund, the United Kingdom will provide £3 billion ($4.83 billion) to spur private investments instead of relying on aid to finance low-carbon generation in Africa,...

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Tokelau to become world’s first solar-powered nation

The Tokelau group of islands in the South Pacific is gearing up to become the world’s first wholly solar-powered nation. According to a 3News.co.nz report, over 4,000 solar panels across the New Zealand territory’s three atolls – Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu – will supply electricity to the atolls’ more than 1,400 people and prevent 12,000 tons of carbon emissions over its life span.

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Tonga replacing some of its diesel with solar next month

The first solar farm in the Pacific island nation of Tonga is set to light up homes in the country, according to a report from Matangi Tonga Online. The island nation’s King Tupou VI officially opened the first renewable energy site in the country Tuesday last week. It is expected to begin operations early next month. It will have a capacity of around 1,880 megawatt-hours per year.

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Kenya unveils 280-MW geothermal power project

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki officially announced the construction of a geothermal power plant project that will raise the country’s total electricity output by 25 percent, ensuring ample energy supply while reducing costs and dependence on foreign electricity.According to a report in Allafrica.com, the $981 million Olkaria geothermal project by state-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company will contribute 280-megawatts to the national grid when completed in 2014.

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New South African government agency devotes itself to clean energy

A central energy body was formally opened in South Africa to assist the government in tackling the country’s energy issues. The South African National Energy Development Institute, or Sanedi, will focus on matching the region’s increasing energy needs with projects involving smart grids, energy efficiency, green transport, alternative fuels and advanced fossil fuels.

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Morocco sees 40 percent renewable energy mix by 2020

Morocco is eyeing 40 percent renewable energy by 2020 through 6 gigawatts of power to be generated from a variety of alternative sources such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro and other renewables, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette.

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