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Solar boom counters power shortages in Niger
Cape Argus
|April 17, 2025
SOLAR panels like the ones on the roof of Elhadj Abdou's house are an increasingly common sight in Niger's capital, which is often hit by power cuts.
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"There are no more power cuts here and there are no bills to pay. Everything works on solar energy," said Abdou, who lives in Niamey's Lazaret neighbourhood.
Solar energy is booming in Niger, one of the world's sunniest countries, with sales of increasingly cheap solar panels going up and new projects coming online.
An unprecedented energy shortage in 2023 proved a turning point.
Neighbouring Nigeria suspended much of its electricity exports to the west African nation as part of regional sanctions against the ruling junta that toppled civilian president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
Haoua Amadou, Niger's energy minister, said the measure led the country's electricity production to fall by 30% to 50%, and forced state-owned power company Nigelec to impose planned power cuts that can last several days, especially in Niamey.
This story is from the April 17, 2025 edition of Cape Argus.
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