Some Of Africa’s Biggest Solar Energy Projects

Africa receives more bright sunlight than any other continent, highlighting its massive potential for solar energy solutions to bridge energy gaps. Countries already harness this abundant resource to drive sustainable development, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and boost economic growth. Here are the top ten largest operational solar energy projects across the continent.

With the shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources becoming increasingly urgent globally, Africa is fast embracing climate-friendly energy solutions to provide electricity to the more than 600 million Africans who are unconnected to it.

 

Africa receives more bright sunlight than any other continent, highlighting its massive potential for solar energy solutions to bridge energy gaps. Countries already harness this abundant resource to drive sustainable development, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and boost economic growth. Here are the top ten largest operational solar energy projects across the continent.

 

With the shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources becoming increasingly urgent globally, Africa is fast embracing climate-friendly energy solutions to provide electricity to the more than 600 million Africans who are unconnected to it.

 

The quest to diversify electricity generation from the dominant hydroelectric power option, which has become more erratic lately with the ever-changing climate, has led to a surge in solar energy generation across the continent.

 

Here are Africa's some largest operational solar power plants based on their energy generation capacity.

 

1. Noor I. Ouarzazate Solar Power Station, Morocco – 580MW

 

The plant, one of the largest in the world, is located in the city of Ouarzazate, some 10km to the Northeastern part of Morocco. The first phase constructed 160 MW. Subsequent phases, phase 2 and three, added 200MW, 150MW, and 70MW, respectively, commissioned between 2013 and 2018.

 

Besides being a key pillar of Morocco's renewable transition plan to incorporate 4560 MW of solar by 2030, the project offsets nearly 800,000 t of CO2.

2. Kenhardt hybrid solar and battery facility, South Africa – 540MW

 

Managed by the Norfund Climate Investment Fund, the facility is one of the latest additions in Africa and was developed by the Norwegian company Scatec. Active operations and linking to the Eskom grid happened in December 2023, but the supply was announced in January 2024.

 

In addition to the solar panels and power generation unit, the facility has an 1140 MWh battery storage unit, making it one of Africa's largest battery storage units.

 

The battery unit ensures a consistent supply of 150 MW of dispatchable power from 05:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily all year round, addressing the intermittency challenges often associated with renewable energy.

3. Benban Solar Park, Egypt – 400MW

 

The park extends over 37 square kilometres between Aswan and Cairo on the Nile and includes 41 solar power plants. At full operational capacity, the solar park will pump out 1.8 GW of solar energy, making it the largest solar park on the continent and one of the largest globally. The first six plants were operationalized in 2019, supplying 400 MW of solar energy to the grid.

 

When fully operational, the Benban Solar Park will cut carbon emissions by an estimated two million metric tons annually.

4. De Aar Solar project, South Africa – 175MW

 

The facility comprises De Aar and De Aar 3, generating 85.26 MW and 90 MW, respectively. The two facilities utilize 500000 solar PV modules to generate electricity, which serves up to 75000 homes.

 

Located in the Northern Cape, South Africa, this solar project spans 100 hectares of land and is part of the South African Government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).