Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has imposed a 10% import tariff on solar panels to protect local manufacturers, attract investment, and deepen the value chain. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association has questioned the lack of formal industry engagement, calling the timing “not ideal.”

Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency has partnered Husk Power Systems for inter-connected minigrids and isolated minigrids, rooftop commercial and industrial (C&I) solar, productive use of energy (PUE), and appliance sales and financing.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the government of Uganda recently discussed accelerating the solar mini-grid project to address Uganda’s energy access challenge and advancing the solar water pumping project under the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) Fund. New areas of cooperation, such as establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (STAR-C), were also explored.

Husk Power will use the fund for the construction of community solar minigrids in Nigeria, installation of rooftop solar for commercial & industrial (C&I) customers, expansion of appliance sales to households and small businesses, and the scaling of value-added services such as agro-processing and e-mobility.

The International Solar Alliance’s Global Solar Facility (GSF) includes payment guarantee, insurance and investment fund components to catalyze solar investments in underserved geographies.

KEC International Ltd has secured orders for 220 and 400 kV overhead transmission lines in the Middle East, and 110 kV transmission lines in Europe.

Africa50 and International Solar Alliance (ISA) will leverage each other’s networks to mobilize funding and raise awareness of African solar projects in European and Indian markets.

Telecommunications Consultants India (TCIL) has issued an expression of interest to select an EPC partner for a 25 MW solar plant in Mauritius. Bidding closes on April 28. 

Bihar-based Husk Power Systems, which serves rural Asia and Africa, became EBITDA positive in the fourth quarter of 2022 in India and Nigeria. 

Bihar-based Husk Power Systems has secured $750,000 in debt to build eight new community solar microgrids in Nigeria and expand operations in India.