This project, funded by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA), will enable Niger to better balance its energy mix, which is currently largely dominated by thermal energy. Out of the 15 solar power plants, 12 are operational as of July 2023. . The Niger Solar Electricity Access Project (NESAP), aimed at enhancing electricity access in rural and peri-urban areas of Niger through solar energy, started in 2017 and has built 15 solar power plants. These initiatives aim to reduce the country's dependence on electricity imports from Nigeria, marking a pivotal shift toward energy self-sufficiency. . The Gourou Banda Solar Power Station is a 50 MW (67,000 hp) solar power plant under construction in Niger. This renewable energy infrastructure project is under development by an independent power producer (IPP), under the build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, with support from the International. . Niger is experiencing a remarkable transformation in its energy landscape, driven by the increasing adoption of solar power. With some of the highest solar irradiation levels globally, this West African nation is capitalizing on its natural resources to address persistent energy shortages. Photo: BOUREIMA HAMA / AFP 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. "There are no more power cuts here and there are no bills to pay. .