Solar power stations in Senegal

5 August 2010

Senegal is developing solar energy so that it will no longer be dependent on fossil fuels. President Abdoulaye Wade has announced the construction of solar power stations in the Sahara.

In time, these infrastructures should benefit the whole of West Africa and generate 100,000 megawatts of electricity.

Mr. Wade's project has been approved by all of the heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States.

This mandate results from the Copenhagen summit, during which the President of Senegal had declared that Africa could become an exporter of clean energy.

During an interview with Walfadjri, Mr. Wade explained that despite a substantial initial investment, solar power stations would recover their costs in three years, allowing electricity to be generated at very low cost.

It is of vital importance to Mr. Wade that Africa "join the battle of solar power". Otherwise, the proliferation of European solar power stations on the continent could compete with nationally-generated energy, without benefiting regional development.

Category: Energy