The use of solar energy is becoming more democratic in Africa. The source of renewable energy enables companies to reduce their electricity bills and their CO2 emissions. This less expensive and easy to install source of energy is also adopted by airports, which are very open spaces and favourable to the installation of large scale solar photovoltaic systems.
It is to discuss the challenges of solarisation of airports on the African continent that the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) is organising a webinar on the 7th of July 2020, which will bring together several experts like: Stephen Barrett, the director of Barrett Energy, Terje Osmundsen, the CEO of Empower New Energy, Peter Sweetnam, project manager at Solarcentury, and Mazarin Herve Mintsa, the director of safety, security and environment at Cameroon Airports (ADC).
Discussions on the stakes of airport solarisation
The AFSIA webinar will provide a forum to discuss the benefits of solar energy for airports, solar project financing opportunities, commercial considerations and project management. The seminar will also address the technical safety and security considerations for the installation of solar power plants at airports.
In Africa, some officials are already beginning to realize the benefits of solar energy at airports. For example, in Cameroon, the Douala International Airport has a solar park installed on an area of 14,000 m2. Composed of 3,840 solar panels, the installation is capable of providing 1.5 MWp of electricity.
In Ghana, with the support of Exim Bank of India, the government aims to supply all the country’s airports with solar energy. As part of this project, Kotoka International Airport, which serves the capital Accra, will be the first to be powered by solar energy thanks to a 6 MWp plant. This dynamism in the market, as well as the investment opportunities in the solarization of African airports will also be at the centre of discussions in the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) webinar.
To participate in this webinar, click here.
Jean Marie Takouleu