Senegal has made the energy sector, and the reduction of carbon footprint, one of the main goals of the Rising Senegal Plan (PSE, Plan Sénégal émergent), a new referential public policy in the country for 2035.
Sococim Industries, a subsidiary of the Vicat group, has engaged in the energy transition by choosing to install, in Rufisque, a first photovoltaic power plant destined to supply a cement factory.
The construction of the largest ‘off-grid, on tracker’ solar power plant in Africa was entrusted to Urbasolar.
« This investment, an industrial first in Africa, is part of a global process of reducing the carbon footprint of the Vicat group’s factories.
An innovative process in the fight against climate change, Sococim Industries entrusted Urbasolar with the construction of a solar power plant to supply the Rufisque cement factory, near Dakar.
We decided on the Urbasolar group for their technical expertise, their ability to supply an innovative plant, and their environmental engagement, as well as their engagement in the local African economy.
We are proud of this partnership that marks a successful Franco-Senegalese collaboration and that works for the energy transition in West African and the expansion of solar electricity production on the African continent. » Guy Sidos, President and CEO of Vicat.
Built on 14 hectares, this cutting edge installation integrates numerous innovations:
– Energy production piloting: weather analysis, photovoltaic panels that follow the course of the sun (trackers), and a hybrid thermal system.
– Control center allowing for real time optimization of the factory’s electricity consumption.
The plant will reduce the site’s CO2 emissions by 10 kt/yr and produce nearly 7 MWp to be self-consumed by the Rufisque cement factory.