Diéma Solar Power Station

Diéma Solar Power Station is a planned 100 MW (130,000 hp) solar power plant in Mali. The privately owned power plant is expected to sell the energy produced to the national electric utility, Energie du Mali (EDM-SA), under a 25-year power purchase agreement.[1][2]

Diéma Solar Power Station
Map
CountryMali
LocationDiéma
Coordinates14°31′31″N 09°11′19″W / 14.52528°N 9.18861°W / 14.52528; -9.18861
StatusProposed
Construction began2021 (Expected)
Commission date2023 (Expected)
OwnerPal 4 Solar Energy
OperatorPal 4 Solar Energy
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Power generation
Nameplate capacity100 MW (130,000 hp)

Location

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The development would be located in the municipality of Diéma, in Diéma Cercle, in the Kayes Region of Mali. This is close to the international border with southern  Mauritania, approximately 276 kilometres (171 mi), east of the city of Kayes, where the regional headquarters are located.[3] Diéma is located about 347 kilometres (216 mi), by road, northwest of Bamako, the capital city of Mali.[4]

Overview

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The power station is under development by Pal 4 Solar Energy, an independent power producer (IPP), based out of the United Arab Emirates. The power station will produce 100 megawatts of power, which EDM-SA will purchase for 25 years from the date of commissioning, according to a concession agreement, signed between Pal 4 Solar Energy and Mali's Minister of Energy and Water.[1][2]

The agreement between the two parties also stipulates that in addition to the solar power station, Pal 4 Solar Energy will build high voltage transmission lines from Diéma to Bamako, where the energy will be integrated into the national electricity grid. Also a number of Malian towns will receive grid electricity for the first time, as part of this project. These communities include Nara, Nioro and Banamba.[1][2]

Ownership

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Diema Solar Power Station is owned by the entity that is developing it, Pal 4 Solar Energy.[1][2]

Timeline

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Once construction begins, the erection of the solar farm is expected to take 1.0 to 1.2 years to complete.[1][2]

Other considerations

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Mali's is in the process of increasing electricity access to its population, (26 percent in 2012, 35 percent in 2016). The target is to supply 87 percent of the population, with grid electricity by 2035. In that regard, the country is increasingly turning to solar energy. Current and future solar power plants include (a) the 50 megawatts Kita Solar Power Station, which came online in 2020 (b) the 100 megawatts Diéma Solar Power Station, in the planning phase and (c) the 93 megawatts Touna Solar Power Station, expected online in late 2022.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Jean Marie Takouleu (13 February 2020). "Mali: Pal 4 Solar Energy to build a 100 MWp power plant in Diema". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Fidelis John (19 February 2020). "Mali to build solar and thermal power plants in Diema". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Diéma, Mali and Kayes, Mali" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Road Distance Between Diéma, Mali and Bamako, Mali" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  5. ^ Anita Anyango (3 December 2020). "93MW solar power plant to be built in Mali". Nairobi: Pumps-Africa. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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