article · Cleaner Engineering and Technology
About 60 percent of the population in Benin currently lacks access to reliable electricity, despite the country possessing abundant solar energy resources. An evaluation of a 10.0 megawatt utility-scale grid-tied solar photovoltaic system across seven cities in Benin examined technical performance, economic viability, and greenhouse gas reductions using RETScreen software. On average, the proposed system yields an annual electricity generation of approximately 13,222 megawatt-hours for grid export, reflecting a capacity factor of 15.1 percent and a performance ratio of about 67.3 percent. Without capital subsidies or revenues, the levelised cost of energy ranges from 0.110 to 0.125 US dollars per kilowatt-hour. The investment becomes attractive at feed-in tariffs exceeding 0.10 US dollars per kilowatt-hour, while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 76.0 percent relative to the existing grid.
Expanding clean electricity access is vital for raising living standards in Benin, where the majority of the population lacks reliable power. Demonstrating the technical feasibility and cost metrics of grid-tied solar energy offers evidence for policymakers and international financiers seeking to reduce carbon emissions while accelerating sustainable electrification across West Africa.
The findings provide feasibility-stage benchmarks for solar project developers, grid operators, and institutional investors planning utility-scale renewable power plants in Benin. This work sits at the pre-investment techno-economic assessment stage. It highlights that commercial viability hinges on targeted public subsidies or feed-in tariffs set above 0.10 US dollars per kilowatt-hour to attract private capital to national infrastructure development.
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About 60.0% of Benin's population currently lacks access to reliable electricity to perform their daily activities. The Benin Republic has abundant solar energy resource, which could be harnessed efficiently to increase its access rate to electricity and improve living standards. This study evaluates the techno-economic viability of installing a 10.0 MW utility-scale grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) system in seven cities located in Benin. The RETScreen software was used to perform technical, economic, and greenhouse gas emission analyses on the proposed system. Based on the assumptions in this study, the PV system produces, on average, about 13,222 MWh/yr of electricity available for grid export. This yields a capacity factor of 15.1% and a performance ratio of approximately 67.3%. Without revenues and capital subsidies, the project generates a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) ranging from 0.110 USD/kWh to 0.125 USD/kWh. Also, the PV project is attractive for investment at a feed-in tariff of above 0.10 USD/kWh. Using the utility-scale PV plant for electricity generation at the installation sites saves about 76.0% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to the utility grid. The findings show that incentives and subsidies could lower the LCOE and increase solar PV investment in Benin. Investing in utility-scale PV systems could help Benin increase its electricity access rate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for sustainable development. The study aims to alert stakeholders, decision-makers, and investors toward developing the Benin utility-scale solar PV sector.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2023.100633
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