Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso airports soon to be solar powered
Burkina Faso wants to take advantage of its strong sunstroke. The country is currently working on two solar projects for the international airports of Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso.
The subject was at the center of discussions this week between the government and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
On Tuesday, February 16, the Burkinabé Minister of Transport and Urban Mobility, Vincent Dabilgou, received in audience a delegation from the financial institution, led by its vice-president Dr Mabouba Diagne. At the end of the discussions, the two parties agreed to finance a solar project at the Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso airports.
The West African country intends to equip its two main platforms with photovoltaic farms. These will allow the airport manager (Delegation for National Aeronautical Activities - ASECNA / DAAN) to be autonomous, in part on its electricity consumption. Ideally, airports will be connected, during peak hours, to solar energy. It is estimated that this will significantly reduce electricity bills. The two platforms are currently powered by electric power from the public grid of the Burkinabè national electricity company (SONABEL) on the one hand and an autonomous source (diesel generators) on the other hand. This source of energy is not only expensive in relation to the fluctuating cost of oil, but also has negative consequences for the environment.
