Repic Burkina Microgrid

With an electrification rate of 19% composed of 65% thermal energy and less than 2% renewable energy, although solar energy is present for more than 2800h/a in Burkina Faso, the country faces significant energy challenges. Rural areas remote from the urban electricity grid are particularly affected with about 2% access to electricity.

Several initiatives put in place by the government encourage the development of electrification. These include the FDE in 2003 (Electrification Development Fund), attached to the Ministry of Energy, which is responsible for facilitating access to electrification for rural populations, the dissolution of the monopoly of SONA-BEL (national supplier) in order to encourage the installation of independent solar producers, and the establishment of micro-credits to finance the investment cost of solar installations. These initiatives have encouraged the development of solar energy in urban and rural areas. Several examples of projects including ELSA in 2014 and Zina in 2016 are proof of the progress of sustainable development in the country. Our project is part of this dynamic with the installation of a 15kWp power plant combined with a 6kW and 6kWh lithium-ion battery to connect public and residential buildings in the village. The installation will be managed by an intelligent box that optimizes battery charge/discharge based on production and consumption forecasting algorithms, and above all ensures a reliable power supply by avoiding the use of diesel units as an energy backup. The installation will promote awareness of renewable energy in schools and the establishment of a local cooperative based on the model to collect revenue from the resale of electricity and ensure the maintenance and monitoring of the installations. In addition to providing electricity for local development and promoting awareness of renewable energy, the project will generate economic and social activity for the benefit of the local population.