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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Africa to build largest self-sufficient solar microgrid
A 5 MW solar microgrid system is to be installed on Annobon Province, an island off Equatorial New Guinea, in west-central Africa. The aim of the island-wide microgrid is to provide reliable, predictable power to supply 100% of the island’s current energy demand. It will be the largest self-sufficient solar project on the continent of Africa, according to project partner GE.
The solar microgrid will consist of 5 MW solar modules and system integration technology supplied by MAECI, an energy management system and associated controls from Princeton Power Systems, and energy storage technology from GE.
Annobon Province has a population of around 5,000 residents. Today, the residents have electricity for up to five hours per day and spend an average of 15–20% of their income on supplemental power. The microgrid is aimed to eliminate this expense entirely and provide reliable electricity 24 hours a day. The project is a part of Equatorial Guinea’s National Economic Development Plan Horizon 2020, which aims to make Equatorial Guinea an ‘emerging economy’ and accelerate its development and democratisation by 2020.
For more on energy solutions in emerging economies, see our coverage of the Ashden Awards on page 24.
