French developer Akuo Energy announced on 19 November the full commissioning of the 50MWp Kita solar PV plant in the Kayes region. The project, described by Akuo as “the largest operational solar park in West Africa”, has been developed under a 30-year build, own, operate and transfer concession with a 28-year power purchase agreement with Energie du Mali. The project began supplying power to the grid in March.
UK-based clean power developer PASH Global, majority-owned by Dutch commodity trader Trafigura, is a shareholder in the project, after acquiring a 49.9% stake in January (AE 408/9). Debt financing for the €77m ($91.3m) project was provided by the West African Development Bank, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, an investment fund managed by Ninety One (formerly Investec Asset Management), the Dutch development agency FMO and Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole du Mali.
The plant will meet the electricity needs of 120,000 local households, while reducing CO2 emissions by more than 52,000 t/yr.
