Global South Utilities (GSU) recently celebrated the inauguration of the Noor Chad solar plant, bringing historic distributed generation capabilities to N’Djamena, Chad. This facility, operating at 50 megawatts (MW), represents Chad’s first utility-scale solar installation and is poised to transform the country’s energy landscape. This represents a tremendous victory for GSU. They plan to generate half of their electricity from renewables by 2030.
Noor Chad represents a powerful new infrastructure to provide long-term sustainable access to energy. It is an integrated resource that combines 50 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, with a 5 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). The facility will be equipped with 81,000 solar panels and 158 inverters. This cutting-edge technology helps maintain the overall stability of the grid and provides energy reliability.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The construction delivery of Noor Chad included over 350,000 work-hours and is a testament to the extensive labor and commitment developed by all parties to realize this project. By powering the equivalent of about 274,000 homes, Noor Chad will have a powerful impact on halting the import of considerable amounts of diesel. The facility is projected to avoid the equivalent of more than 1.36 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its operational life. This would be a huge win for the environment.
The solar plant addresses immediate energy needs today. It does not fail to set a stunning precedent for future infrastructure development and Chad’s booming renewable energy pipeline. This new initiative complements worldwide efforts to move away from dirtier energy sources and address the effects of climate change.
Commitment to Clean Energy
GSU’s dedication to building a clean energy workforce is shown by the recent creation of Noor Chad. The company is working to be the renewable energy leader across all of Africa. In this space, it sees tremendous growth potential. Through this inaugural project, GSU sets the tone and strong precedent for future transformative projects to come. They illustrate how fast action can provide dramatic returns on investment to local communities and the environment.
Ali Alshimmari, GSU’s chief executive officer and managing director, called the project the realization of a long-held vision.
“This is the first project we have delivered from signature to commissioning in Africa. It proves how quickly these markets can move when there is determination and effective partnerships that turn challenges into opportunities. At its heart, this project is about people: about enabling families, communities and nations to thrive with the stability that clean power brings.”
Future Prospects
The successful inauguration of Noor Chad was a milestone moment in Chad’s transition to an energy abundant future. By combining the latest solar technology with a BESS, the facility promotes grid stability and boosts the speed at which clean, renewable electricity can be accessed. GSU’s vision goes beyond this project as they hope to encourage more renewable energy projects across Africa.