IRENA welcomes the launch of Africa’s largest solar PV plant

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) welcomes the news that the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Africa was inaugurated today by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Masdar, the renewable energy company of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

The new facility, located in the capital city of Nouakchott, is the largest solar PV plant in Africa at 15-megawatts. It will account for 10% of Mauritania’s energy capacity, displace approximately 21,225 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and supply energy to nearly 10,000 homes in Nouakchott.

“Globally renewable energy has tremendous potential to meet our growing energy needs, and with the business case for renewables improving rapidly, the time has never been better for renewables,” Mr. Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of IRENA said. “We are encouraged to see one of our early Members, Mauritania beginning their transition to an affordable secure and sustainable energy system.”

(Right to Left) HE Taleb Ould Abdivall, Mauritania's Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines; HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar; and Frank Wouters Deputy Director General of IRENA during a press conference announcing the 15MW Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in Mauritania

To date Mauritania’s electricity grid, like many in Africa and around the world, has been reliant on expensive diesel generators and exposed to price volatility, energy security and sustainability issues. Further to this the nation’s demand for energy grew by an estimated 12 percent in 2012, compounding the pressure on their 144-megawatts of installed capacity and resulting in severe energy shortages.

“Energy access is a pathway to economic and social opportunity,” said Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz during the inauguration of the solar plant. “Electrification, through sustainable sources of energy, is critical in ensuring our people have access to basic services and is a step toward improving our infrastructure and long-term economic development.”

With strong solar and wind energy resources, Mauritania has the potential to derive a significant portion of its electricity capacity from clean, secure, and sustainable sources of energy. Its wind energy potential alone is almost four times its annual energy demand.

HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, HE Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania during the inauguration of the 15MW Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in Mauritania

HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, HE Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Mauritania and HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar alongside other dignitaries during the inauguration of the 15MW Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in Mauritania

Photos courtesy of Clement Tardif