The first diesel-PV-storage power plant of the Agadez project in Niger put into operation avec success

Commissioning successful

On the 1^st December 2022, the first diesel-PV-storage power plant of the Agadez project in Niger, built by joint venture CGGC-SINOSOAR-ETECWIN put into operation avec success.

Iferouane is the first site to be successfully connected to the grid, located in the western mountains of the Agadez region, 240 km from the capital city of Agadez. The project’s successful grid connection was highly appreciated by the Niger government and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the morning of December 1st, local time. The ceremony was attended by Brigi Rafini, the former Prime Minister of Niger, Yacouba, the current Minister of Energy, Halid, the General Manager of the National Electricity Company, the representative of the World Bank in Niger, Hamid, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, the Governor of Agadez and other leaders.

On the day of the event, a warm celebration ceremony was held in front of the Iferouane power station. At the ceremony, the former Prime Minister of Niger congratulated the successful construction of the power station and suggested that the construction of the power station is of great significance to promote local economy and improve people’s living standards. After the operation of the project, the power supply has been changed from only 4-6 hours before to 24 hours a day, while maximizing the use of renewable photovoltaic resources and reducing diesel consumption, which is truly green and sustainable.

In addition, the Minister of Energy, Mr. Yagouba, on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, pointed out that the project is a demonstration project of the Niger Renewable Energy Development Framework (NESAP) and that its successful grid connection has served as a benchmark for other projects in the future. It is worth mentioning that Minister Yakuba took this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our joint venture for its hard-working, and courageous spirit during the project implementation.

Moreover, the representative of the World Bank in Niger praised the grid connection of the project and offered policy support for the follow-up of the project. The representative pointed out that in the follow-up of local development and construction, the World Bank will financially support the government of Niger to increase the investment of PV microgrid project, so as to improve the electricity access ratio in remote areas, fundamentally improve the local infrastructure construction and promote economic development.

After the presentation, a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the entrance of the Iferouane Power Station by the Minister of Energy, the General Manager of the power company, representatives of the World Bank and other leaders, in the presence of staff and local media.

At the end of the event, Mr. Wang Zheng, the project manager of SINOSOAR, introduced the main systems and equipment of the power plant to the visiting guests and media friends in detail. Iferouane microgrid power station is well-equipped with the EMS energy management system developed by SINOSOAR, which truly achieves the perfect coordination and seamless switching between PV, energy storage and diesel generator.