It is a project that could transform national road infrastructure into catalysts for renewable energy.

Autoroutes du Sénégal (ADS SA) and the National Agency for Renewable Energies (ANER) have signed a partnership to develop the "Solar Highways" program. The project involves installing photovoltaic systems along the highways to generate up to 1 GWc

Specifically, the installations are designed to supply energy to toll stations, service areas, charging stations for electric vehicles, and street lighting. A portion of the energy produced will be injected into the national electricity grid managed by SENELEC, increasing the share of renewables in Senegal's energy mix. "This partnership is a crucial step towards a sustainable energy future for Senegal, aligning infrastructure with the ecological transition," stated an ANER spokesperson

Senegal enjoys an average solar irradiation of 4.2 to 5 kWh/m²/day, a significant advantage for the development of large-scale solar projects, according to a report by the NewClimate Institute published in 2023. The country has made notable progress in renewable energy. The Taïba Ndiaye wind farm and several large-scale photovoltaic plants have contributed to its progress toward energy transition goals.

However, its energy system remains dominated by imported and expensive fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil, which exerts considerable economic pressure and keeps electricity prices among the highest in Africa. In this context, the "Solar Highways" program could make Senegal a model for energy transition in West Africa.

Source of the article: ecomnewsafrique