How long does a solar power project last in Mali?

This project has an estimated lifespan of 25 years. / Mali is a landlocked country in the Sahel belt of West Africa where 80% of the population in the rural areas do not have access to electricity, while those with access are getting most of the electricity from diesel generators.

How many mini-solar plants are there in Mali?

The rural electrification agency says 32 mini-solar plants like the one in Karan are in four regions in Mali’s south and southwest of the country, providing power for more than 2 million people, and are run by WeLight and German-owned Africa GreenTec. “We started with 48 connections and now we have more than 200.

Is solar power a good idea in Mali?

Solar power is a recent development in the country. The government is encouraging the use of it by exempting equipment from customs duties and promising to subsidize the price of solar kits. Without such subsidies, solar energy in Mali is about twice the price of the traditional fossil fuel energy used in cities.

How many people in Mali have electricity?

Only 53% of Mali’s population had access to electricity as of 2021, according to the latest data from the World Bank. In rural areas, access is as low as 25%, according to Abdoulaye Makan Sissoko, an official with Mali’s rural electrification agency.

Can Mali achieve universal access to electricity?

In rural areas, access is as low as 25%, according to Abdoulaye Makan Sissoko, an official with Mali’s rural electrification agency. Studies have shown that achieving universal access to electricity in Mali would require an investment of around $1.3 billion to extend networks and create more mini-grids, Sissoko said.

Why is solar expansion a problem in Mali?

Insecurity caused by extremist attacks is another challenge to expansion in Mali, especially in the north, limiting the areas where companies can safely set up solar mini-grids.