Burkina Faso's on-grid market demand for solar panels is driven by utility-scale projects integrating renewable energy into the national grid. As of 2021, the country has: 62 MW of grid-connected solar capacity.
larly solar energy. Burkina Faso benefits from daily sunlight of 5.5 KWh/m2 for 3000 to 3500 hours per year, with a uniformly distributed solar resource across the national territory, yielding an
Why is Burkina Faso launching a new energy project?
“This new project is in line with our strategy for the Sahel, which aims to double the rate of access to electricity by 2025, especially in rural areas, and to create the conditions for more private financing in the energy sector,” explained Maimouna Mbow Fam, World Bank operations manager for Burkina Faso.
“This new scheme will enable Burkina Faso to mobilize more than $400 million in private investment in solar production and innovative battery storage systems,” added Alexis Madelain, project team leader at the World Bank.
The funds will be used to implement the country's Large Scale Solar and Rural Electrification Project. They will also support the government in outlining an upcoming tender for 325 MW of solar coupled with 335 MWh of storage capacity. Burkina Faso had just 62 MW of installed PV at the end of 2020.
What changes have been made in Burkina Faso since the last iteration?
UNCILMajor changesSince the last iteration, significant progress has been made with the successive commissioning of new solar power plants in Burkina Faso in 2024, and the continuation of electrification efforts despite he security crisis. The national coverage rate has increased to 50%, compared to a national electrification rat