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Senegal has launched tender for the construction of solar mini-grid systems across the country.
- It is expected that when completed; the mini-grids would provide electricity to over 177 communities.
- The government last year enacted VAT exemption for 0ff-grid solar PV components to accelerate off-grid deployments.
Senegal, through its Rural Electrification Agency (ASER), has recently launched a tender for the development of 133 solar mini-grids to provide electricity to about 177 village communities across the country. These power plants will be financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD).
The Senegalese government aims to achieve 100 per cent of electricity access by 2025. It is hopeful of achieving this through a combination of grid network expansion and 180MW new off-grid capacity. It is expected that about 88 per cent of remote villages will be electrified through grid expansion. To accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, the government thas enacted policies to make adoption easier—the government last September introduced a VAT exemption for off-grid Solar Photovoltaic components.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the country had a total installed PV capacity of 134MW as of 2019; it is expected that when constructed, the 133 mini solar plants will increase this capacity considerably.
Developers interested in being a part of the project must submit their offers by January 19.