Burkina Faso’s Zagtouli Solar Power Plant, a flagship project in the country’s energy transition, has received advanced cleaning equipment worth €450,000 from WASCAL under the PV2H project. The equipment was officially handed over with Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries, Mr. Yacouba Zabré Gouba, attending the ceremony.
In his speech, the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries emphasized the importance of this donation in addressing a major challenge in the operation of solar power plants in Burkina Faso: the accumulation of dust on photovoltaic panels, particularly during the Harmattan season.
“This contribution from WASCAL, through the PV2H project, comes at just the right time, as the Harmattan season demands efficient and continuous cleaning operations for our solar plants. Optimising the operation of these infrastructures is, therefore, a strategic priority for our country, both to improve energy access and to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The PV2H project is therefore fully aligned with the government’s renewable energy vision, integrating scientific research to address technical and environmental challenges.’’ the Minister stated.
The Executive Director of WASCAL, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramdé, reaffirmed WASCAL’s commitment to tackling the challenges of West Africa, while promoting clean energy.
“We are confident that this project will provide concrete solutions to optimize the efficiency of solar power plants in Burkina Faso and West Africa while laying the foundation for a sustainable energy transition. At WASCAL, we believe that clean energy and climate resilience go hand in hand. Through innovation, research, and strategic partnerships, we are committed to empowering West African countries to harness their renewable energy potential and build a more sustainable future.”
A New Holland T6.160 tractor, with a power of 160 horsepower, equipped with its hitch and accessories designed to operate the brush and hold the water tank, a 7-meter SunBrush Compact brush, designed to fit the dimensions of the plant’s installations, along with its usual spare parts, and a video surveillance system comprising 17 high-resolution cameras.
The Director General of SONABEL, Souleymane Ouedraogo, highlighted the significance of this donation in improving the performance of the Zagtouli Solar Plant and expressed gratitude to WASCAL and BMBF.
“The Zagtouli solar power plant plays a crucial role in Burkina Faso’s electricity supply, and maintaining its optimal performance is a priority for SONABEL. These cleaning equipment solutions will ensure that our solar infrastructure remains productive and efficient, even in the face of environmental challenges. We are grateful to WASCAL and BMBF for their commitment to supporting our national energy ambitions.” He said.
Speaking on behalf of the German Ambassador, Mr Jan Henrik Meise, Deputy Head of Mission, emphasized Germany’s dedication to supporting WASCAL and Burkina Faso’s energy transition.
“Germany is proud to support initiatives like PV2H, which bring together scientific research, technological innovation, and practical solutions to enhance renewable energy systems. This project is a perfect example of how international cooperation can create lasting impacts in West Africa’s energy sector. We remain committed to working alongside Burkina Faso and WASCAL to advance sustainable energy solutions’’ He spoke.
Beyond the cleaning equipment, the PV2H project also envisions the development of a demonstrator for green hydrogen production and utilisation in Burkina Faso.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education, the PV2H project benefits from a strong synergy of expertise among several key stakeholders, including WASCAL, SONABEL (Burkina Faso’s national electricity company), Joseph KI-ZERBO University, and the Jülich Research Center in Germany.
