A new solar photovoltaic power plant is coming on stream in Madagascar. The plant is located in Antalaha, a commune in the Sava region in the north-east of the island. The plant has a capacity of 1.8 MWp, which represents an estimated annual output of 3 GWh. The electricity produced is fed into the local grid.
This solar project, which is entering its operational phase, is being developed by Green Energy Solutions (GES Madagascar), a joint venture between the Malagasy group Axian and GreenYellow, an independent power producer (IPP) based in Puteaux, France. “This is the last plant to be commissioned of the batch of three plants located in the Sava region. It joins the NEA Morondava plant for a total installed capacity of 6 MWp. This quartet provides green, local and economic energy to the populations and companies located in the immediate vicinity of the installations”, says GreenYellow on social networks.
Read also- MADAGASCAR: WeLight raises €19M to deploy solar mini-grids in 120 villages
In the SAVA region, the joint venture is also developing hybrid solar projects in Vohémar and Sambava. These plants, which also combine battery storage and backup generators, are being built under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the state-owned company Jiro sy rano malagasy (JIRAMA). GES has commissioned several hybrid plants in recent months.
This is the case of the Vohémar 1 MWp plant, which was recently inaugurated in the presence of Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina. The joint venture has also completed the construction of the Morondava solar power plant with a capacity of 1.4 MWp. The plant supplies electricity to businesses and the population of Morondava through the Jirama network. These small solar power plants contribute to the electrification of Madagascar. In this East African country, only 15% of the population has access to electricity, with only 5% in rural areas, according to official figures.
Jean Marie Takouleu