Dubai’s AMEA Power wins solar contract in South Africa
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are seeking better ties with sub-Saharan African states, including in regards to energy.
The Dubai-based energy company AMEA Power announced a new solar project in South Africa Wednesday.
AMEA Power won the bid to develop a $120 million, 120-megawatt solar project in the country. The project will sell electricity to South Africa’s state utility company Doornhoek PV Project for 20 years. AMEA Power is the majority stakeholder, and a consortium formed by the South African companies Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo owns the rest.
One megawatt of solar power is enough to power the average home in the United States for more than a month, according to the environmental news site EcoWatch.
Why it matters: The United Arab Emirates is showing significant interest in the African continent’s renewable energy and green technology potential. In August, the UAE government-owned renewable energy firm Masdar signed a deal with Tanzania to develop wind and solar power in the southern African country.
