Mauritania: Masdar to add more solar capacity

Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy developer Masdar is to build seven solar PV projects totalling 12MW under a contract signed on 21 January with the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines. The projects in the towns of Boutilimit, Aleg, Aioune, Akjoujt, Atar, Al Shami and Boulenour will, on average, meet 30% of each town’s electricity demand when completed by Q1 2016, according to a press statement. The plants, which will reduce reliance on diesel, are sized to provide additional generation capacity as demand rises following upgrades to the local grids.