Business
Solar Panel Factories Spark Job Growth Across Africa
Sub-Saharan Expansion of Solar Jobs
While South Africa’s aggressive renewable energy program has been a magnet for solar manufacturing companies, other countries are realizing the same interest due to energy expansion programs and changes in their government’s regulations. In September 2011, Kenya claimed bragging rights for East Africa’s first solar panel factory, opened by Ubbinkasa joint venture between Dutch-based Ubbink B.V. and Kenya-based Largo Investments. The company, which markets itself around the slogan “Designed in Europe, Made in Kenya,” has grown to 80 employees.
“Demand has been higher than expected,” said Haijo Kuper, Ubbink’s managing director in an AFKInsider interview. According to its website, Ubbink expanded its product offerings in 2013 to include German-engineered Fosera solar streetlights. The company’s target? To “reach 5 million satisfied customers by the year 2018.”
But while Kenya is one of the six U.S. Power Africa countries, Kuper says the company is not working on any U.S.-funded projects. Nigeria has a goal of getting 5 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020, particularly off-grid solar. To this end, the country scored a solar panel manufacturing plant built by Germany-based JVG Thoma. Completed in February in Sokoto, the factory was partly financed by the World Bank, and produces solar panels designed to operate in extreme climates. A small solar power array was built next to the plant to assure a regular supply of power.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure is shopping for about $96 million to double the output of its Karshi-Abuja solar panel manufacturing plant to 15 megawatts per year. The factory has been operating since September 2011 after the Nigerian government funded the purchase and installation of the manufacturing equipment, as well as providing basic infrastructure such as land and utilities.
Ghana is another country encouraging energy development by targeting 10-percent renewable energy by 2020, according to the Ministry of Energy. In February 2014, the Sustainable Equities Group, International Solar Utilities and PN Solar announced plans to build a 300 megawatt solar panel factory east of Accra, as well as develop more than 600 megawatts of solar power plant parks in Ghana. The plan includes exporting the solar modules to other African countries.
Developers have identified 800 acres of land in the Ahanta West District to build some of the proposed solar power plants. Construction is expected to begin in June. Once completed, the factory will create 350 jobs for local employees, according to Sustainable Equities Group.
“The construction of the solar parks is estimated at $750 million and would create about 2000 direct and 6000 indirect jobs,” Harris told AFKInsider. “Our current network of international employees will expand rapidly as we embark on an aggressive hiring plan in order to deliver on our contracts.”
