Is Burkina Faso suitable for solar power projects?

This suitability assessment was carried out at the request of the Government of Burkina Faso to map potential areas for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects. Currently, less than 25% of the population has access to electricity and the majority of those with access live in urban areas.

Can Burkina Faso achieve 95% electricity access?

The country aims to reach 95% electricity access, with 50% in rural areas and universal access to clean cooking solutions in urban areas, with 65% in rural areas by 2030, up from 9% in 2020. The utilisation of Burkina Faso’s renewable resource potential would enable the country to reduce its heavy reliance on thermal generation and energy imports.

How will Burkina Faso improve electricity trade with neighbouring countries?

Additionally, the results from this report are intended to inform the design and development of the country’s regional projects as Burkina Faso is planning to enhance electricity trade with neighbouring countries through regional interconnectors with Benin, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

Which land area is suitable for solar PV & wind project development?

The results obtained indicate that 27.4% and 0.5% of the total country land area is suitable for solar PV and wind project development, respectively (i.e. suitability index exceeding 60%). These areas are largely located along the transmission network.

What is Burkina Faso's road network?

The road network considered in this analysis was provided by the National Observatory of Territorial Economy ofice in Burkina Faso. It includes the national, regional and departmental roads across the country as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6. Burkina Faso’s road network

What is the maximum development potential for solar PV & wind projects?

It suggests a maximum development potential of approximately 95.9 and 1.96 gigawatts (GW) for solar PV and wind projects, respectively, taking into consideration an installation density of 50 megawatts (MW) per square kilometre for solar PV, 5 MW per square kilometre for wind and a land utilisation factor of 1%.