Bokhol Senegal Solar Project

Senegal

This is the first ever solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Senegal and one of the largest in West Africa providing 160,000 people with access to renewable energy.

Project

Summary.

Senegal is ranked 164^th in the Human Development Index and over 43% of the population do not have access to electricity. What energy the country does supply is CO₂ intensive and expensive, such as diesel, coal and gas.

The Bokhol plant, one of the largest of its kind in West Africa, covers 50 hectares and is equipped with 77,000 modules which are connected to the national grid. Its supply of renewable solar energy saves the government US$5 million per year. It also provides Senegalese people with jobs and makes sure that the sale of carbon credits fund investments into the local community to improve the quality of living conditions.

Certified

Under

Aligning with the

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

Solar is inexhaustible, available everywhere and produces neither waste nor greenhouse gases. This project provides 160,000 people with access to it.

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment for all.

The plant provides employment opportunities for local workers with continuously verified salaries.

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

It has facilitated the transfer of advanced solar PV technology and skills from industrialised nations and built the infrastructure required for a more sustainable energy source.

SDG 13 Take urgent action on climate change and its impacts.

Reliance on fossil fuels has been significantly reduced with positive impacts for emissions reductions that will contribute to the mitigation of climate change.

The result

160,000 beneficiaries in Northern Senegal.
25 jobs have been created within operation and maintenance, and priority given to women.
The sale of carbon credits is funding investments in the local community to improve living conditions.
Construction of housing has been funded.
Medical equipment has been purchased for the local midwife who is in charge of 12 villages and 5,861 patients, and who assisted in the birth of 80 babies in 2017.
School rooms have been renovated to improve conditions for study.