Solar win Mali solar power plant project

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Solar win Mali solar power plant project

Scatec Solar are to build new solar power plant in Mali. Norwegian firm Scatec Solar and its partners, the Malian Ministry of Energy and Water and Electricité du Mali have signed a contract to build, own, and operate a EUR52m solar power plant near the city of Segou, Mali.

The 33 MW facility is said to be the first utility-scale solar power plant in West Africa.

The project is being developed in collaboration with World Bank’s IFC InfraVentures, and local project development firm Africa Power 1.

Scatec Solar will own 50% of the ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar plant, World Bank’s IFC InfraVentures will own 32.5%, while Africa Power 1 will own 17.5%.

Scatec Solar will build the facility, as well as deliver operation and maintenance services following the plant’s connection to the grid.

The plant will comprise about 130,000 PV modules on a fixed tilt system and will connect to an existing transmission line, providing clean and affordable energy.

The plant is expected to lower carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 46 000 tons, and is projected to generate sufficient power for 60,000 of the region’s households.

The project will be funded by 45% senior project finance debt, and will also receive a concessional loan for 30% of the total project costs from Climate Investment Fund.

The rest of the project finance will be offered as equity by the project partners.

The project is expected to achieve financial close before the end of this year.

Source: World Construction Network

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.