Savannah Energy, a British independent energy company focused on activities in Niger and Nigeria is set to construct one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest wind farms known as the Tarka wind farm in Tahoua, Niger.Â
The company plans to undertake a two-year feasibility study for the project that includes the installation of 60 turbines with a total capacity of 250 MW. Throughout this period, the company will evaluate wind speed and frequency, as well as decide how the eventual installation will be connected to Niger’s national power grid.
According to Savannah Energy, the Tarka wind farm is intended to produce up to 600 GWh of power per year, subject to the outcomes of a planned feasibility study that confirms the project’s ultimate magnitude. The project’s building phase is projected to create more than 500 employment opportunities.
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Savannah Tarka Wind Farm (SPET) is the special-purpose company that IPP proposes to employ to execute its project. Both will sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Société nigérienne d’électricité (NIGELEC) for the projected wind farm. According to Savannah, the wind farm would help Niger meet its climate goals by reducing 400,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually.
Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Renewable Energies, Sani Mahamadou, claimed that the project was truly revolutionary, with the potential to greatly augment the country’s on-grid electricity generating capacity. The minister added that such a project should encourage a considerable rise in economic activity in Niger, directly and indirectly, by creating thousands of employment opportunities over the next decade.
Approvals for the Tarka wind farm project
Before beginning construction, the project developer is anticipated to receive all relevant approvals by 2023. The Tarka wind farm’s first MW is anticipated to be connected to Niger’s national grid in 2025. According to Savannah, the prospective wind farm will be part of the integrated West African power grid’s architecture. Furthermore, in 2023, Niger intends to join the West African Power Exchange System (WAPES).
A few months ago, work on the WAPP’s northern backbone began. When the $550 million project is completed in 2023, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin will be connected by a 330 kV line. The African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the European Union (EU), and the French Development Agency (AFD) are all contributing funds to this sub-regional integration initiative.
