A pioneering 7.5 MW solar PV plant has reached commercial operation in Burundi, increasing the country's generation capacity by more than 10 per cent. It is the country's first substantial energy generation project to go online in more than three decades, supplying clean power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. The plant, located near the village of Mubuga, supports international efforts to increase renewables and climate finance, especially for the world's most vulnerable communities. UK Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Greg Hands, said: "Today's launch of Burundi's first grid-connected solar farm will light up the nation's energy system. It will strengthen the national grid supply and propel forward a promising future for the country in clean, green energy. He went on to say: "This pioneering project, backed by UK government funding, is a fantastic example of countries working together. Investing in a green future benefits the economy and the planet." The six-year process of building the solar plant was led by energy developer and independent power producer Gigawatt Global. Financing for the construction of the project was provided via a consor- tium including pan-African private equity investor Inspired Evolution, the UK government-funded Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP, managed by Cameo Clean Energy), and Gigawatt Global. The construction loans are being refinanced by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
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