Where is Central African Republic launching a new solar park?

BANGUI, November 17, 2023 – Today, the Central African Republic is launching a new 25-megawatt solar park with battery storage in Danzi village, located around 18 kilometers from Bangui. The park will supply electricity to 250,000 persons in the capital, almost doubling the country’s electricity generation capacity.

Will Central African Republic have electricity by 2030?

By 2030, almost half of the population of the Central African Republic should have access to electricity, compared to only 16% at present. Today, the Central African Republic is launching a new 25-megawatt solar park with battery storage in Danzi village, located around 18 kilometers from Bangui.

Could locally produced batteries be a solution to Africa's energy crisis?

“With Eskom ’s new 1.4 GWh energy storage project, locally produced batteries may provide a good opportunity for a true local solution to an urgent need,” says Naicker. “The lack of affordable batteries has prohibited the mass-penetration of much-needed energy storage solutions throughout Africa,” he adds.

Should Africa develop a lithium-ion battery plant?

Naicker says it is important to develop a local lithium-ion battery plant, as all lithium-ion batteries used in Africa are currently imported from mega-factories in the northern hemisphere. In fact, he believes there is an “arms-like race” to establish battery production in the northern hemisphere, but with no plans to do the same in Africa.

Why is Central African Republic investing in electricity?

With an electrification rate of 35% in Bangui, 8% in the main provincial cities and towns, and only 2% in rural communes, the Central African Republic has invested in the energy sector as an engine of development to increase access to electricity and promote sustainable growth.