UAE's GSU opens 50MW solar plant in Central African Republic to power 300,000 homes

The UAE's Global South Utilities (GSU) has inaugurated a 50-megawatt solar power plant in the Central African Republic, slated to illuminate over 300,000 households. The Sakai facility, situated near the capital Bangui, is touted as the largest infrastructure project in the nation, boasting more than 80,000 solar panels and a 15MWh battery energy-storage system.

This green initiative is expected to slash more than 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions on an annual basis. GSU anticipates that this power surge will support key sectors like healthcare, education, and public services, while stimulating business growth and foreign investment. "This historic national project will shape the future of the Central African Republic," remarked Ali Alshimmari, GSU's managing director and chief executive.

Despite Africa housing nearly 20% of the world's population, many nations grapple with unreliable power access, prompting investments to bolster their energy infrastructure. The Central African Republic's power supply infrastructure remains underdeveloped, primarily focused around the Boali-Bangui system and the capital. While the country has seen growth in installed power capacity over recent years, electrification outcomes remain inadequate, with rural regions lagging behind.

GSU's move in the Central African Republic is part of its broader strategy to address individual countries' power needs and contribute to the continent's long-term economic and social development. The company currently operates in Africa, Central Asia, and South America, with projects totaling over 500MW in capacity, averting approximately three million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.