Togo: Prime Minister Announces Major Renewable Energy Expansion

Energy

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 15:38

Togo: Prime Minister Announces Major Renewable Energy Expansion

(Togo First) - In Togo, 137 MW of new renewable energy projects are under development. Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé revealed this on December 3 in Lomé. This was during the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS) held from December 3 to 5.

In her address, PM Dogbé highlighted Togo's commitment to renewable energy development through ambitious projects. Some of the country’s flagship renewable energy projects include Blitta’s PV plant, one of the largest in West Africa. It currently produces 50 MW, but this capacity is being expanded to 70 MW.

There is also the Dapaong solar power plant, under construction in northern Togo. This plant should produce 25 MW and have a 40 MWh storage system. It will benefit around 60 rural communities in the Savanes region.

Since 2020, Togo has increased its electrification rate from 52% to 69%, providing thousands of rural households electricity through solar kits and the Blitta solar power plant.

Challenges Remain

While Togo's electrification rate nears 70%, about half of West Africa's population still lacks electricity access, with some rural areas having rates below 10%. The Prime Minister emphasized that reliable and affordable energy is not just an economic necessity but also “a matter of social justice.”

The WA-ECS summit, organized by EnergyNet in partnership with the Togolese government and supported by the World Bank, focused on three main priorities: interconnecting power grids, integrating renewable energy, and mobilizing $30 billion in financing for approximately 60 projects by 2030.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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