The Dapaong photovoltaic solar power plant in northern Togo is set to commence operations within 13 months following the start of construction on April 22, 2025. This initiative will be executed by TBEA International Engineering, a Chinese firm renowned for its expertise in energy transmission and distribution equipment. This prominent entity in the global energy sector will oversee the design, equipment supply, and assembly of the entire facility, which will include a storage system. The project will feature the installation of 36,000 solar panels across 52 hectares, with a peak generation capacity of 25 megawatts (MWp). Additionally, a 40 megawatt-hour storage system will be integrated to ensure electricity availability beyond daylight hours. The dual objectives of this initiative are to stabilize the electrical grid and enhance electricity access in the region. Togolese officials estimate that the infrastructure will facilitate the electrification of around 60 rural communities, providing approximately 52,114 MWh annually and powering nearly 29,000 households. The project is also expected to have a positive environmental impact, preventing an estimated 33,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Mawusi Kakatsi, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Mines, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, ‘This is a project at the intersection of economic aspirations, energy independence, and sustainable development. Without electricity, there is no health, no education, no industry, and consequently, no jobs.’ The initiative is backed by roughly 40 billion CFA francs (over 60 million euros) in funding from the World Bank, as part of the Regional Emergency Intervention Project in the Solar Energy Sector (RESPITE), and is aligned with the Savannah Region Emergency Program (PURS), which seeks to mitigate economic and security challenges in the area.
The initiative is backed by around 40 billion CFA francs (more than 60 million euros) in funding from the World Bank, as part of the Regional Emergency Intervention Project in the Solar Energy Sector (RESPITE). It also aligns with the Savannah Region Emergency Program (PURS), which seeks to mitigate economic and security challenges in this area of the country.
This infrastructure complements the existing Blitta facility and other ongoing projects, such as those in Sokodé (64 MWp), Awandjelo (40 MWp), and Agoè-Nyivé (7 MWp). These efforts are integral to a national strategy aimed at raising the electricity access rate to 75% by the end of 2025 and achieving 100% by 2030.
