Chinese thin film solar supplier Hanergy has secured a strategic order for supplying a 400MW of photovoltaic capacity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Africa.
The company signed a strategic partnership framework agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources of Democratic Republic of Congo, on 29 May for the projects.
The cooperation is intended to gradually install off-grid clean power generation for the DR Congo’s mining industry in the provinces of Katanga, Lualaba, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central, Kivu and Sankuru.
In these provinces the two parties will set up solar plants with a cumulative capacity of 400MW.
The co-operation will begin in December this year.
Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources General Secretary Jose Maboya Nzalingo said: “By dint of joining forces with Hanergy to set up the country’s first and the largest solar power station project, we’re confident of providing sustainable and stable energy supply in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The initial strategic partnership framework agreement states that energy generated in the first stage is estimated to be 20MW.
The deal will also generate around 10,000 jobs and will provide education to create one hundred technology specialists.
Hanergy Uganda Company chief executive Guo Bin said: “We recognise the potential of renewable energy in Congolese market and have set out an organised and specific road map to accelerate our expansion plan in the country while supporting the unruly need of sustainable and stable energy supply in the country.
“The 400MW solar power station project is primarily aimed at meeting the on-peak demand of nearby mining companies and reduce local diesel consumption, while reducing carbon emissions substantially.”