AMEA Power is one of the fastest-growing companies in renewable energy. As lead sponsor of the West African Energy Cooperation Summit (WA_ECS), Joel Musikingala, Senior Manager of Project Development, spoke to EnergyNet about the company’s commitment to West Africa, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed solar plant is Togo’s first utility-scale renewable project. Can you tell us more about the added battery storage system? What will this mean for Togo?

The addition of the battery storage system will ensure continuous power for the town of Blitta, where our project is located, even in the event of disruptions from the main grid. The battery storage will provide backup power, maintaining stability and reliability for the town.

Furthermore, expanding the storage capacity from 4 MWh to 14 MWh will enable Blitta to become the first fully green town of Togo, powered entirely by 100% renewable energy around the clock.

Is mining a key sector for you – powering mines?

Yes, powering the mines is a key strategy at AMEA Power. There is an increased demand for green metals, driven by the global shift towards renewable energy and electric vehicles. As the world transitions to a more sustainable future, mining companies are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources to power their operations.

However, they face several challenges related to energy supply, particularly with unreliable grid power and high energy costs.

The frequent power outages and grid instability experienced by many African countries can disrupt mining operations and lead to significant financial losses. Plus, traditional grid electricity is often expensive, further increasing the operating costs, with many mining companies relying heavily on generators.

 C&I renewable energy solutions offer several benefits to mining companies in Africa, including:

• Reliable power supply: a reliable and consistent source of electricity, mitigating the impact of power outages
• Cost savings: renewable energy can significantly reduce electricity costs
• Reduced carbon footprint: clean and renewable energy, helping mining companies reduce their environmental impact
• Improved operational efficiency: reliable power supply can enhance operational efficiency and productivity at mining sites

 

We note that there are projects in development in Mauritania and the Ivory Coast. Can you tell us more about them?

In Mauritania, we are developing a solar and wind project, along with a green hydrogen initiative. According to the new generation master plan, Mauritania should generate 60–75% of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030. Harnessing hydropower, sun, and wind energy is contributing to Mauritania's energy independence, and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

 In Ivory Coast, we have signed the PPA for two solar PV projects. The offtaker will be Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricite, the national utility. The country exports about 10% of its electricity to neighbours and, as part of its strategic plan, the Government of Ivory Coast aims to raise the share of renewable energy in the country's electricity generation mix to 42% by 2030. 

 In all projects, we work closely with the local communities.

 

What other projects can West Africa look forward to from AMEA? 

We commissioned, in record time, the first solar IPP project in Togo. The initial 50MW (phase 1 and 2), was fully developed from inception to operation in less than 18 months, during Covid.

With additional phases, 70MW+4MWh BESS has been operational since June 2023.  In May 2024, we signed a PPA and CA to expand the capacity to 100MW + 14MWh BESS, making it the largest solar PV and battery storage project in West Africa.

Earlier this year, we commissioned the 26.6MW Zina solar power plant in Burkina Faso. The project was financed by EAIF, IFC, and the IFCCCP, with SONABEL as the offtaker.  We are also developing a 50MW solar project in Mali.

We are exploring further opportunities in West Africa, which is a region that we believe in.  It has a vast renewable energy potential, including solar and wind.

The region also has one of the lowest electrification rates, with 220 million people living without access to power, according to a 2023 World Bank report. This is coupled with some of the highest electricity costs in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

AMEA is active across wind, solar, energy storage and green hydrogen – is there a particular emphasis for West Africa?

Our focus in West Africa is primarily on solar, wind and battery storage. We do have a great presence in the region, and our first operational renewable energy asset in Africa was in Togo.  

The development of renewable energy projects in West Africa has the potential to attract foreign investment, create jobs and support the growth of local industries. To fully tap into this potential, improving regional energy trade and cross-border connections is essential.

 

What are you most excited about and what would you like to see come out of conversations at WA-ECS?

We are excited about the summit because it brings together key stakeholders in the energy sector to discuss and advance the adoption of renewable energy solutions in West Africa.

Specifically, I am most excited about the potential for:

• Accelerated deployment of renewable energy projects: WA-ECS provides a platform for financiers, regulators, government bodies, and developers to collaborate and streamline the project development and financing processes. From these discussions, we would want to see faster deployment of renewable energy projects (including the financing process), helping to meet the growing demand for clean energy in the region.
• Innovative financing solutions: The gathering of financial institutions and project developers can facilitate the development of innovative financing structures, such as blended finance and public-private partnerships, to unlock capital for renewable energy projects.
• Policy and regulatory reforms: The summit can serve as a catalyst for policy and regulatory reforms that create a conducive environment for renewable energy investment.
• Grid integration solutions and financing: WA-ECS can address the challenges of integrating large-scale renewable energy into the grid, such as grid stability and balancing. Discussions on grid modernization, energy storage solutions, and demand-side management can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable power system.

We would like to see the summit result in concrete actions and commitments to address the challenges of developing renewable energy projects in Africa. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the West African Energy Cooperation Summit can play a crucial role in unlocking the region's renewable energy potential and driving sustainable economic growth.

Joel Musikingala will be speaking in the session Scaling up Renewable Energy Projects to Meet Country and Regional Needs at the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS), taking place 3 – 5 December 2024, under the Patronage of the President, Togolese Republic.