Madagascar solar thermal energy storage project

Does Madagascar have solar power?

Photo: World Bank With only a 15% connection rate, Madagascar faces a chronic lack of access to electricity, which hampers its economic and social development. However, there is tremendous potential in terms of solar power, estimated at 2,000 kWh/m²/year as a result of the 2,800 hours of annual sunlight the country enjoys.

Is Madagascar a good place to invest in solar energy?

Betting on Solar Energy With all regions of Madagascar enjoying over 2,800 hours of sunlight per year, the Grande Île is the perfect location for development of solar power, with a potential capacity of 2,000 kWh/m²/year.

How much electricity does Madagascar have?

A Crucial Resource for Economic and Social Development In Madagascar, only 15% of the population has access to electricity. In 2017, the country had just 570 MW of mainly thermal (60%) and hydroelectric (40%) installed production capacity. Furthermore, only 60% of this energy is truly available owing to poor maintenance of power plants.

Which African country has a Scaling Solar tender process?

Madagascar is currently the fifth country in Africa in which a Scaling Solar tender process was launched, after two tender processes in Zambia, one in Senegal, and another in Ethiopia. It is also the first Scaling Solar project to include solar energy storage requirements by pairing solar with batteries.

What is Scaling Solar in Malagasy?

Through the Scaling Solar initiative, in March 2016, IFC signed an agreement with the Malagasy Government to construct a plant of approximately 25 MW, connected to the Antananarivo network, through a transparent international competitive bidding process.

How much solar power does Antananarivo have?

However, there is tremendous potential in terms of solar power, estimated at 2,000 kWh/m²/year as a result of the 2,800 hours of annual sunlight the country enjoys. The Scaling Solar project aims to capitalize on this opportunity by building a solar plant of approximately 25 MW connected to the Antananarivo network.