CHAD – Chad’s National Electricity Company (SNE) is set to build a photovoltaic solar power plant in the Kalam-Kalam rural area to stimulate rural development and enhance access to electricity in the countryside.

The solar power project has already been kick started by the laying of the foundation at the project site in Kalam-kalam, near the administrative capital N’Djamena.

The foundation stone was laid late last month by Chad’s Minister of State, Minister Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Chad, Kalzeubé Payimi Deubet

According to the report by Africa Energy Portal, the Solar power project which will be built by the National Electricity Company (SNE) of Chad is the first phase of the “solar energy project for rural development in Chad”.

Construction work on the solar power plant will officially begin in January 2021 and will involve the installation of interconnected solar panels connected to several inverters with the energy generated by the park being fed into a small grid via a lift station.

The system will consist of two transformers that will allow the electricity to be transported and distributed “safely” over a 33 kV grid, with an 82 km transmission line.

The solar power project is expected to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy to around 6000 households located in the area between Toukra in N’Djamena and Mandelia are expected.

“The surplus of the energy supplied will be injected into N’Djamena via the Gassi substation,” says Abdoulaye Ngamada, the managing director of SNE.

Eventually, 8400 households and 571 utility centres will be connected to the national grid by the SNE.

Access to electricity in these disadvantaged areas is currently estimated at 7 per cent.

The Chadian government aims to raise this rate to 30% in the coming years.

Africa Energy Portal reports that the implementation of the “Solar Energy Project for Rural Development in Chad” is expected to last one year.

The Solar power project will be 87% financed with a loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The remaining 13% will be shared between the Chadian State through the SNE (11%) and the Kingdom of Morocco (2%) through the National Office of Electricity and Water (Onee).

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