Kita Solar Power Station

Kita Solar Power Station (French: Centrale solaire de Kita) is a 50 MW (67,000 hp) solar power plant in Mali. At the time of its commissioning, in April 2020, it was the largest, grid-connected solar power station in West Africa.[1]

Kita Solar Power Station
Map
Official nameCentrale solaire de Kita
CountryMali
LocationKita
Coordinates13°01′42″N 09°31′10″W / 13.02833°N 9.51944°W / 13.02833; -9.51944
StatusOperational
Construction beganFebruary 2019
Commission dateApril 2020
OwnerAkuo Energy & Pash Global
OperatorAkuo Kita Solar
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Site area100 hectares (250 acres)
Power generation
Units operational187,000
Nameplate capacity50 MW (67,000 hp)

Location

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The development sits on 100 hectares (250 acres) of real estate.[1] The power station is in town of Kita, Kayes Region, approximately 188 kilometres (117 mi), by road, northwest of Bamako, the capital city of Mali, along the BamakoKéniéba Highway.[2] Kita is located about 243 kilometres (151 mi), by road, northeast of the town of Kéniéba, at the international border with Senegal.[3] The geographical coordinates of Kita Solar Power Station are: 13°01'42.0"N 9°31'10.0"W (Latitude:13.028333; Longitude:-9.519444).[4]

Overview

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The power station is a joint venture between Akuo Energy, an independent energy producer, based in France, and Pash Global, an investment company. Together, they own Akuo Kita Solar, the special purpose vehicle company that owns and operates the power station. The power generated is purchased by the Malian public electric utility company, Electricité du Mali, pursuant to a 30-year power purchase agreement.[1][5]

Kita Solar Power Station is capable of supplying electric energy for up to 120,000 households in Mali. In addition, it helps the country to save the emission of up to 52,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.[1][5]

Ownership

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The table below illustrates the ownership of Kita Solar Power Station and of Akuo Kita Solar, the special purpose vehicle company that operates the power station.[1]

Akuo Kita Solar Stock Ownership
Rank Name of Owner Percentage Ownership
1 Akuo Energy
50.1
2 Pash Global
49.9
Total
100.00

Funding

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The cost of construction is reported to be 53 billion CFA francs (€80.7 million). Lenders to the project included:[1] 1. West African Development Bank 2. Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund[6] 3. FMO (Netherlands) 4. National Agricultural Development Bank of Mali 5. Green Africa Power and 6. GuarantCo.[1][7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jean Marie Takouleu (20 November 2020). "Mali: Akuo Energy commissions its 50 MW Kita Solar Power Plant". Paris, France: Afrik21. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Road Distance Between Bamako, Mali And Kita, Mali" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Kéniéba, Mali And Kita, Mali" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Location of Kita Solar Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b ECOWREX (15 November 2019). "Kita PV power plant in Mali will be commissioned at the beginning of 2020". Praia, Cape Verde: ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECOWREX). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. ^ EAIF (April 2020). "Award-Winning €78 Million Akuo Kita Solar Power Plant In Mali". Ebene, Mauritius: Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  7. ^ ESI Africa (30 January 2018). "Mali: Financing approved for Akuo Kita Solar power plant". Rondebosch, South Africa: ESI Africa Journal. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
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