The project to build hybrid solar power plants or also known as Central Fuel Save is an order from the Ministry of Energy with CDC financing, materialized by the signature between the State and CDC of a concession agreement, and a long-term lease agreement for solar power plants between CDC and SEEG.
It is the result of a change in the legislative framework that has resulted in the adoption of a law liberalizing the energy sector, since the promotion of renewable energies is a significant global issue. Its vocation is therefore to reduce carbon emissions, so the country will be able to achieve an annual carbon saving of around 3000 tonnes of CO2.
In its first phase, it will mainly target 8 cities in the interior of the country, namely: MAKOKOU, BOOUE, MINVOUL, NDJOLE, BITAM, MEDOUNEU and MEKAMBO for a total cost of nearly XAF 5 billion. Once delivered, the project will enable people in the targeted localities to benefit from electricity without fear of power outages, at the same price, while significantly reducing the environmental damage caused by fuel spills at certain sites. And, the supply of quality electricity will be able to boost economic activity for companies already present, an attraction for potential investors.
For CDC, this is another investment dedicated to the renewable energy sector, financially profitable in the medium term, and which contributes to the achievement of public energy policy objectives with a total installed capacity of 1200 Mega Watt with 80% in renewable energies (hydro and new energies) and 20% in thermal energy, mainly Gas by 2025.
The Sustainable Development and Climate Finance businesses are sure values for the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), which has set up two large-scale energy projects, including individual solar kits and photovoltaic solar power plants.
The CDC joins the Green Climate Fund for services, issues and problems related to the financing of projects to mitigate and adapt to the negative effects of climate change. Together, the two partners are working to find solutions that guarantee a carbon-free future: commitments that ensure weaning, or even the elimination of the use of fossil fuels.
The CDC is aware of the strong impact of renewable energies, a strong link in the Gabon-Vert pillar, of Gabon's emerging Strategic Plan.
The ambition will be mainly driven by the recently created Sustainable Development and Energy Department, which provides technical solutions for financing and partnerships. The project on the marketing of solar kits is the most promising, targeting and making available to people living in areas not connected to the public electricity grid, offering them services adapted to their daily needs. These energies provide a reliable service, at an attractive price and guarantee a general and ecological success.
The kits are composed of: photovoltaic solar panels, a battery, a portable lamp, 4 light bulbs, a radio, a flat screen television, a TV antenna, an adapter charger for different phone models.
The effectiveness of the kits was tested for 8 months from July 2017 in a locality not far from Libreville, which allowed their effective and widespread use.
The kits are available in exchange for a monthly sum of 20,000 francs over a period of 5 years, at the end of which the subscriber becomes the owner of the kit;
The testimonies collected from the beneficiaries lead to the conclusion that the fixed price is a good deal and makes it possible to save an average of 40 to 60% of the household budget using kerosene and fuel oil.
The distribution of these kits is exclusively ensured by SETEG (Société d'Électricité, de téléphone et d'eau du Gabon) which takes care of all after-sales services (Maintenance, kit management platform, geolocation chip).
At the same time, these kits allow the development of mobile telephony services (Airtel money, mobicash).
Banbouchine and Malibé are two localities with about twenty and ten households equipped with solar kits depending on the formula chosen.
A relative success, especially in peri-urban areas, the project is continuing its efforts and is increasingly reaching people in rural areas, who do not yet have access to renewable energy.