How can solar power plants benefit Senegal?

The project estimates that more than 400 jobs in the towns benefit from the existence of the new solar power plants in Senegal. Because Senegal mainly relies on imported oil for electricity, solar power plants offer a more reliable and sustainable green energy source that costs less.

How many jobs will the new solar power plants create in Senegal?

The addition of the solar power plants form part of the World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar program and are funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Investment Bank and Proparco. The project estimates that more than 400 jobs in the towns benefit from the existence of the new solar power plants in Senegal.

How many MW of electricity does Senegal have?

Phase One’s 16 turbines began supplying 50 MW of electricity to Senegal’s grid in December 2019, while additional phases since July 2021 add 108 MW, increasing the country’s electricity supply by 15 percent.

How much does electricity cost in Senegal?

Due to dependence on expensive liquid fuels for 90 percent of power generation, Senegal has some of the highest generation costs in Africa. While electricity generation costs range from 34 to 38 cents per kilowatt hour, consumers pay roughly 24 cents per kilowatt hour with the difference covered by government subsidies.

What does MCC do for Africa's power sector?

It offers private sector entities tools and resources to facilitate doing business in Africa’s power sector. After completing its first MCC compact in 2014, MCC granted Senegal in 2018 a five-year second compact focused on strengthening the energy sector.

How does Senegal support regional energy cooperation?

Senegal supports regional energy cooperation as a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and is a member of regional organizations to develop hydroelectricity resources on the Senegal (OMVS – Senegal River Basin Development Organization) and Gambia (OMVG – Gambia River Basin Development Organization) rivers.