OUAGADOUGOU - Dr. Bignan Kagomna Bouwerou, a physicist, called on the Burkinabe government and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) last Friday to adopt parabolic trough concentrator solar power plants as a sustainable solution to the region's energy needs.
According to Burkina Information Agency, speaking in Ouagadougou at a promotional event for doctors organized by Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso should capitalize on its considerable solar potential, highlighted by its annual 3000 hours of sunshine. He detailed a case study for a potential 50 MW solar power plant using cylindrical parabolic collectors at the Dori site in the Sahel region. The study suggests that such a plant could cover 110 hectares, utilize 2016 solar concentrators, and produce approximately 619.99 GWh annually at a cost of 33.53 CFA francs per kWh.
Dr. Bouwerou emphasized the dual benefits of this technology, particularly for isolated rural areas. He noted that the stored heat from these plants could be utilized for up to 6 hours after sunset, providing critical support to facilities like maternity hospitals besides electricity. He also mentioned that such plants are already operational in other African countries, including Morocco, which exports excess energy to Spain, as well as in Latin America and some U.S. states like California.
Highlighting the energy deficit in Burkina Faso and other Sahel states, Dr. Bouwerou argued that while Burkina Faso has made strides with photovoltaic solar plants at Zagtouli, Ziga, and Nagréongo, it has yet to fully embrace parabolic trough technology, which he considers both favorable and profitable. He encouraged not only the AES states but also global investors to consider this technology, which could complement other energy sources such as photovoltaics and nuclear power.
Dr. Bouwerou, who defended his doctoral thesis on the modeling of concentrated solar power plants in May 2023 under Dr. Issaka Ouédraogo at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, expressed his readiness to assist policymakers and investors interested in solar energy and related technologies.