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US-headquartered Astra Energy has secured a 200-acre site on Unguja Island for a renewable energy (RE) project comprising 42.5MWp of solar PV and 7.5MW of waste-to-energy (WTE) capacity. An unspecified amount of battery capacity is also planned for the project – which is one of several initiatives to improve electricity access on the Zanzibar archipelago.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $28.49m grant for an $85.18m project to increase the use of renewable energy (RE) infrastructure to 10% of national demand by 2030.

Whatever happens in Libya’s turbulent political arena, international finance and expertise will have to play a greater role if progress is to be made on the infrastructure needed for social and economic development. A wide range of actors are trying their luck. African Energy profiles those involved in two proposed power plants, at Zliten and Ghadames: Qatar’s Urbacon Trading and Construction Company (UCC), Ireland’s AG Energy, Germany’s Siemens, the US’s Hill International, and Libya’s Acesco Consulting Engineering and Services and the Privatisation and Investment Board (PIB).

Cape Town has announced plans to procure 560MW of renewable energy, as the Democratic Party-run city continues with its efforts to cut its dependence on an unreliable national grid and provide cover from the impact of load-shedding by national utility Eskom.  City authorities have also announced plans to build a 60MW solar PV and battery plant outside Somerset West, with support from the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF).

Dutch developer Gigawatt Global Coöperatief is to double the 7.5MW Mubuga solar PV plant’s capacity in a rare investment success for Burundi.

The Nigerien Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies (known by its French acronym Meer) said on 10 May it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with London AIM-listed Savannah Energy for two solar PV plants.

Zambia has issued a general procurement notice inviting consultants to carry out full feasibility studies for the development of a 40MW grid-connected wind power plant. A request for submission of expressions of interest (EoI) is expected to follow in coming weeks.

The island states off the coast of East Africa are pushing ahead forcefully with renewable energy schemes to reduce their hydrocarbons use. The moves will save money for the authorities in Comoros, Mauritius and the Seychelles by cutting expensive imports of refined products and will also help to address the effects of climate change to which they are particularly vulnerable, writes Marc Howard.

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has outlined plans to procure nearly 17GW of generation capacity from different technologies in FY2023/24, in new efforts aimed at increasing electricity supply and tackling crippling shortages.

Developer SSI Energy has appointed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the 10MW Kahama solar PV plant. Work includes a 3km transmission line to Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco)’s Buzwagi substation.

Mining and metals group Sibanye-Stillwater has signed its first power purchase agreement (PPA) and reached financial close for the 89MW Castle wind farm, near De Aar in Northern Cape province. The wind farm will supply Sibanye-Stillwater’s mining operations via a wheeling agreement with state utility Eskom.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Exim) has approved a $900m loan to build two solar PV plants for the Ministry of Energy and Water (Minea).

As Zimbabwe’s general election approaches, experts are complaining that its energy laws and policies are outdated and need extensive review to promote increased investment in renewable energy.

Mauritius-headquartered Hydroneo East Africa has requested expressions of interest (EoI) for the design and construction of the 10MW Mpanda hydroelectric power (HEP) project on the Ruzibazi river in Bubanza. Once complete, the plant will be Burundi’s first HEP independent power producer (IPP).