🚀 Project Overview
Gutami Holding BV, in partnership with a local development firm, has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government of Burkina Faso and a 25-year PPA with SONABEL, delivering 150 MWp solar PV integrated with 50 MW battery energy storage (BESS). The €100 million-plus project is slated for commissioning in Q4 2027.
All project approvals—including ESIA, permits, land rights, and grid interconnection at Nobéré (Centre-Sud region)—have been secured.
đź’Ľ Strategic & Market Context
- This initiative marks one of West Africa’s largest solar-storage projects to date, significantly increasing Burkina Faso’s solar capacity beyond its current 206 MW.
- The hybrid setup will provide frequency regulation, load shifting, and smoothing of solar variability—enhancing grid reliability and reducing reliance on thermal sources.
đź“Š Financial Modelling & Investment Considerations
- Investment need: €100+ million with DFIs, infrastructure funds, and banks invited to co-finance.
- Revenue stream: A 25-year fixed-tariff PPA ensures stable cash flows supporting NPV and IRR evaluations (~8–12%).
- Capital structure: Likely majority debt-financed. DSCR, interest rate stress tests, and FX exposure are critical inputs.
- Risks: Sensitivity analysis should focus on solar variability, storage usage, tariff indexing, and grid interconnection timelines.
🌱 ESG & Local Impact Metrics
- Fully aligned with IFC Performance Standards.
- Over 300 construction and operational jobs anticipated.
- Local participation and community equity contribute to socio-economic benefits.
- Infrastructure investment and skills training embedded in the project’s ESG plan.
🔎 Why It Matters
This project is a benchmark for solar-plus-storage projects in emerging markets: it combines a bankable PPA, strong ESG alignment, and energy resilience. For financial modellers, it provides a real-world case to test capex structuring, DSCR modelling, and scenario planning under variable resource and policy conditions.
🧒🏻 Financial Model & Next Steps
Download the Finteam Solar PV Model Template on Eloquens for:
- NPV, IRR, and DSCR structuring
- Battery storage dispatch revenue simulation
- FX and interest rate sensitivity analysis
âś… Conclusion
The Gutami Holding solar-plus-BESS project demonstrates the bankability of hybrid solar solutions in West Africa. It is a flagship deal for Burkina Faso’s energy future and a key model for developers and financiers navigating energy transitions in the Sahel.
Finteam 