Falling prices boost hybrid solar projects across Africa

June 15, 2025

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Across Africa, hybrid solar projects are emerging as a major trend. This week, Ivory Coast joined countries like Somalia and Togo in piloting such initiatives, launching an international tender for two 100 MW solar plants, each with 33 MWh of battery storage. Successful independent power producers will supply electricity to the national utility company.

  • The Ivorian government plans to construct 12 solar plants with a total capacity of 678 MW by 2030. Though still at the start, progress is being affirmed by investments, with the construction of two major utility solar projects kicking off since the start of 2025.

  • Integrating solar into the grid comes with intermittency issues. For grid stability, the government is combining some solar projects with battery storage and also pursuing waste-to-energy plants for baseload power.

  • Our take: Electricity exports present a significant revenue generation opportunity for Ivory Coast… Read more (2 min)

Kenya aims for universal electricity access by 2030, through on-grid and off-grid solutions. To support this goal, the domestic manufacturing of renewable energy technologies may be needed. We discussed this topic with Gloria Katunge and Paul Kariuki from LixGlo Ventures Ltd, a consultancy specialising in solar-powered water pumping solutions.

  • They emphasise that for Kenya to manufacture its own solar cell and battery components and thereby accelerate electrification, investment in research centres, tax incentives, and stronger policy support are essential.

  • Gloria Katunge is the founder of LixGlo Ventures Limited and a PhD scholar at the University of Nairobi. Her research is focused on alternative materials for solar panels. She also trains solar energy professionals at the university's Solar Academy.

  • Access the conversation here… (2 min)

We have compiled a list of over 35 energy event listings for the upcoming three months. More than half of these will be hosted by Kenya (12 events) and South Africa (14 events). Nigeria, which has traditionally focused on oil and gas gatherings, will host 5 events. Additionally, our compilation includes other energy-related events across the continent.

  • Many events, even those with broad themes, heavily emphasise investment and financing. Project developers seeking capital will be in the crowd.

  • We also feature 15 international conferences across the continent. These are predominantly academic and research-oriented, relating to science and technology in African energy.

  • Participate in the events here… (2 min)

Attendees at  the Project Developers Roundtable Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, this week

 

Jobs

👩🏻‍💻 Become d.light’s Senior Accountant (Uganda & Tanzania)

💼 Apply for Globeleq’s HSS Manager open role (Kenya)

👷 Join Scatec SA as a Site Planner (South Africa)

Various 

💰 Anzana Electric Group, AfDB unveil $600,000 grant for Weza Power in Burundi

⚡ Hive Hydrogen completes 1,430 MW of solar project in SA

🔌 CrossBoundary and ANKA sign a $20m minigrids deal in Madagascar

Seen on LinkedIn 

Ruben Omari, Aftersales Engineer at Omnivoltaic Energy Solutions, says, “Battery swap stations not only support mobility but also act as critical anchor loads, driving demand for stable, solar-powered infrastructure.”