Who financed a solar power plant in Niger?

The European Union, the French Development Bank and the government of Niger co-financed the installation. A French consortium made up of Akuo and Sagecom has finished building a 30 MW solar power plant in Gorou Banda, Niger. The Niger government had initially planned the project to have a capacity of 50 MW.

Where is solar energy used in Niger?

Niamey and Zinder, located at lower latitudes, show less variability across the year, hence making them excellent locations for harnessing solar energy. There is a long history of solar energy use in Niger. This began in the mid-1960s when the Centre National d'Énergie Solaire (National Solar Energy Centre; CNES) was established.

Why is Niger a solar energy hub?

Niger was one of the first countries across the world to consider renewable energy technologies as a solution to its energy needs. This dates back to the 1960s, when Niger set up the Solar Energy Office (Office de l’Energie Solaire – ONERSOL), later renamed the National Solar Energy Centre (Centre National d'Énergie Solaire – CNES).

How has solar technology been promoted in Niger?

Solar PV and other solar energy technologies continued to be promoted in Niger through various outlets, including the national school television programme. Solar technology installation also contin-ued, largely in PV pumping areas and through education and health infrastruc-ture electrification.

What is the history of solar energy use in Niger?

There is a long history of solar energy use in Niger. This began in the mid-1960s when the Centre National d'Énergie Solaire (National Solar Energy Centre; CNES) was established. Previously known as the Office de l’Energie Solaire (Solar Energy Office; ONERSOL), it had been set up to under-

How much solar radiation does Niger have?

Niger enjoys high solar radiation conditions in all eight of its regions. Average solar radi-ation is 5-7 kWh/m2 per day (figure 9), and there are seven to ten hours of sunshine per day on average. April to August is the period of high insolation, when the diurnal variation between minimum and maximum radiation values is small.