Although renewable energy targets have been revised down, the archipelago’s government said that wind and solar will still see their share increase considerably over the next decade.
Image: Twitter/Àguas da Ponta Preta
Aguas de Ponta Preta (APP), the utility for the production and distribution of drinking water and electric power in the Island of Sal, of the Cape Verde archipelago, has commissioned a MW-sized solar power plant.
The Central Solar Fotovoltaica de Ponta Preta project was built at a cost of US$2.7 million with funds provided by local lender Caixa Económica de Cabo Verde and the utility.
Image: Aguas de Ponta Preta (APP)
The PV project has a total installed capacity of 1.318 MW, and is comprised of 3,880 modules and 49 inverters. Overall, it consists of a 972 kW ground-mounted system, and four rooftop arrays, which are spread across several APP''s buildings.
The installation was primarily built using REC''s 345 Wp TwinPeack panels, although it also includes 400 BIPV glass bifacial monocrystalline panels installed on the roofs of the utility''s parking areas.
In other news, the Cape Verde government has approved a new plan, "Plano Director do sector Energético 2018-2040", to expand the share of renewables in the islands'' electricity mix.
Under the new plan, the local government expects to reach a 30% share of renewables in 2025 and 50% in 2030. The previous plan envisaged a target of 100% renewables by 2021. "This was technically impossible," said the country''s Minister of Culture Abraão Vicente.
“As a small island country and fragile from the environmental point of view, we need to be more resilient, so we have to make a serious commitment to renewable energies and the use of renewable endogenous resources, especially at the levels of wind and solar energy,” said Cape Verde''s Vice President, Olavo Correia at the commissioning ceremony of APP''s solar plant.
Currently, renewables account for about 18% of the archipelago''s power demand, with solar having a minimal share of 1%.
More articles from Emiliano Bellini
Cape Verde is a volcanic hotspot archipelago, like Hawaii and the Canaries. Presumably the seabeds slopes steeply away from the shore, with very limited shallow water suitable for fixed offshore wind turbines. But these islands are ideal for floating wind.
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Cape Verde has taken a significant step towards renewable energy with the inauguration of its largest photovoltaic solar plant to date. The new 5 MW solar array — located in Santa Maria on Sal Island — is part of the country''s ambitious efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity.
The Ministry of Energy and Commerce revealed that this photovoltaic project is the largest in the nation''s history, marking a milestone in Cape Verde''s journey toward a sustainable future.
The project was constructed by Aguas de Ponta Preta — a Cape Verdean company — and is part of a broader strategy to promote renewable energy across the country. The Ministry of Energy announced that this new plant is just one of several renewable energy projects in the pipeline. Cape Verde plans to install eight more solar arrays, aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and stabilize energy prices.
The Ministry of Energy emphasized that the shift to photovoltaic solar energy will bring multiple benefits to Cape Verde. It will reduce the country''s dependence on imported fossil fuels, which is a significant factor in the current cost of electricity.
"When we surpass 50% renewable energy penetration, we will begin to see the full effects of reduced external impact on energy prices," the ministry said. This shift will ultimately lower electricity costs for households and businesses, making energy more affordable and stable across the country.
Cape Verde''s focus on photovoltaic energy is a clear sign of its commitment to renewable energy. The new solar plant on Sal Island represents a significant step forward in the country''s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and achieve energy independence.
The project also showcases the importance of international cooperation. Aguas de Ponta Preta, operated by a Spanish company, has brought valuable expertise and experience to the development of this photovoltaic plant.
Cape Verde has set ambitious renewable energy targets. The country aims to achieve 30% renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2026, with plans to exceed 50% by 2030.
This new photovoltaic plant plays a vital role in helping the nation achieve these targets. Figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show that Cape Verde had 26 MW of installed solar capacity by the end of 2023, up from 23 MW in 2022.
The growing investment in photovoltaic solar energy is a critical part of Cape Verde''s long-term energy strategy. The country is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy. With this new plant, Cape Verde is moving closer to its goal of energy independence and sustainability.
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