SkyPower Global to build solar plant in Congo: The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has contracted UAE-based firm SkyPower Global to develop a 200 MW solar plant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, company CEO Kerry Adler told Khaleej Times. The project marks the first phase of the USD 200 mn, 1 GW DRC Green Giant project slated for completion within 18-24 months.

About DRC Green Giant: SkyPower signed a 1 GW, four-phase, power purchase agreement with Congo’s state-owned Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) in 2020 under a private-public partnership dubbed DRC Green Giant. The agreement is part of the country's plan to boost the electrification rate to around 30% in the next decade and contribute an estimated USD 2.3 bn into the country's GDP.

Not the UAE’s first green investment in Congo: Masdar's subsidiary MW Energy signed an MoU last December with Africa50 and Congo's Energy and Hydraulics Ministry to develop 500 MW of renewable energy in the country.

Congo is also linking up with Egypt: Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo agreed to build up a 1 GW interconnection project linking Aswan to Inga last October. The project — which will have a voltage of 500 kV — will be built over three phases, with the first stage set for next year, and is part of a USD 3 bn African Continental Master Plan to create one grid for the continent.

About SkyPower Global: SkyPower is a global independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates utility-scale renewable power projects. The group is operating 30 solar parks globally and has 25+ GW projects at an advanced stage, according to their website.

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