Solar energy production capacity is expected to increase in Cape Verde over the next few years. This is the aim of the tender recently launched by the Cape Verdean government’s Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE) for the construction of solar photovoltaic power plants on four islands. On Fogo, an island in the south of the archipelago, the tender is for the construction of a 1.3 MWp solar park.
Another solar power plant (1.2 MWp) will be built on Santo Antão, São Nicolau (0.4 MWp) and on the island of Maio (0.4 MWp). Companies interested in the UGPE tender have until 30 March 2023 to apply. After the signing of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, the selected companies are expected to start work in August 2023 in order to bring the solar power plants online in 2025.
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The selected companies will also set up a training programme for UGPE staff. This training will cover the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the solar power plants. The training provided will be structured to equip local staff with the necessary skills and knowledge “to successfully take over the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the solar PV systems at the end of the EPC contract”, says UGPE.
The solar plants will be built under the Renewable Energy and Improved Utility Performance Project (REIUP) . This initiative of the Cape Verdean government is co-financed to the tune of USD 7 million by the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Bird), two subsidiaries of the World Bank Group. REIUP is also co-financed by the Canadian Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) with $7.5 million and the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), a financing mechanism funded by Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the World Bank.
Jean Marie Takouleu