Grace Ashiru
German renewable energy developer JUWI is expanding its African solar portfolio. In a statement released on Tuesday, June 30, the company announced it was close to completing a hybrid solar power plant in Senegal while progressing with three photovoltaic projects in South Africa.
The company intends to expand its global renewable energy capacity by approximately one GW over the coming months.
In Africa, JUWI is developing the Grande Côte Operation hybrid solar project in Diogo, northwestern Senegal, for mining company Eramet. Announced on November 19, 2024, the project integrates a 20 MW solar power plant with an 11 MW/11 MWh battery energy storage system. According to both companies, the facility is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions from the mineral sands mine by approximately 25,000 metric tons and is scheduled to begin operations in 2025.
JUWI is currently advancing three photovoltaic projects in South Africa with a combined installed capacity of nearly 350 MW. Although the company did not disclose the identities of the projects, their total capacity reinforces South Africa’s standing as one of Africa’s leading utility scale solar energy markets.
JUWI stated on its website that it has installed more than 350 MW of clean energy across 15 utility scale power plants in South Africa since entering the market in 2011. The German renewable energy developer also noted that it has developed projects with a combined capacity of 311 MW.
JUWI’s expansion mirrors the broader rise in private investment across Africa’s renewable energy sector. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), investment increased from approximately $17 billion in 2019 to nearly $40 billion in 2024, with major renewable energy initiatives continuing to attract international developers from Europe, the Middle East, and China. For African countries, the key challenge is converting this investment into completed projects that effectively serve both national electricity grids and industrial consumers.
