Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 87 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year, providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities while helping to bridge the energy gap.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved €26.5 million in financing for the development of a new 62-megawatt-peak photovoltaic solar power plant in Sokodé, Togo.
The financing includes an €18.5 million loan from the African Development Bank and a concessional loan of €8 million from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) (https://apo-opa.co/3EUm4K0), which is managed by the Bank. Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency focused on private sector growth in emerging markets, will provide co-financing, making this €61 million project a model of effective public-private partnership.
The Sokodé solar project is a milestone achievement that highlights Togo’s strong commitment to transitioning to renewable energy.
This project is essential to achieving Togo’s target of installing 200 MWp of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It will pave the way for the country’s energy transition by moving away from costly and polluting thermal power generation, improving energy supply security and reliability, and accelerating universal energy access by 2030.
“The Sokodé solar project is a historic achievement that underscores Togo’s strong commitment to the renewable energy transition, in line with the Togo M300 energy compact under development, and the Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting clean energy projects across the continent,” said Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth. He emphasized that the project not only supports Togo’s efforts to access renewable energy but also stimulates local economic growth and enhances the country’s energy security and reliability.
Developed by French energy group Électricité de France (EDF), the project includes the design, construction, and operation of a brand-new solar power plant and an 11-kilometer transmission line in Sokodé, in the center of the country. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 87 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities while helping to bridge the energy gap. It will also contribute to reducing annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 13,600 tonnes, thereby supporting Togo’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
SEFA’s support for the Sokodé solar project underscores the viability of renewable energy and catalyzes further investment in clean energy across the region.
The project also supports Togo’s M300 energy compact by enabling lower-cost electricity production through competitive bidding and encouraging private sector participation. It aligns with one of the African Development Bank Group’s “High 5” priorities: “Light up and power Africa,” which aims to promote sustainable and inclusive energy solutions across the continent.
