Description
Project Name: Essakane
Project owner: Total Eren
Standard: Verra VCS
Project ID: 2434
Since 2018, the project delivers clean renewable electricity to the Essakane Gold Mine and allows them to reduce their fuel consumption.
Because of the isolated location of the gold mine, reliable and sustainable around-the-clock energy is vital.
The Essakane gold mine is located in the far north of the country, and isn’t connected to the national grid. Before the introduction of the solar PV plant, the mine was fully dependent on a fleet of diesel generators for its electricity supply. The installation of solar PV on the site allows the mine to reduce its fuel consumption by 6 million liters per year.
This project represents a major breakthrough in the
industry. The Solar PV solution will allow energy intensive industry to enter an era of more climate-friendly operations.
Total Eren is an Independent Power Producer (IPP), which develops, finances, invests in, builds and operates renewable energy power plants (solar, wind, hydro) worldwide. It was founded in 2012 and is the dedicated renewable energy subsidiary of EREN Groupe, the leading player in natural resource efficiency.
Impact
The solar power plant is giving back to the local community.
1% of the revenue generated by the project is invested in the community around the mine.
Thanks to this project, the Essakane gold mine is the first mine in the world to use renewable energy.
The project is a business case of African excellence and innovation. It paves the way on other groundbreaking initiatives in the field of clean energy across the continent.
Total Eren used the local workforce to build the plant.
The project hired 100 people for the construction phase and relies on 40 permanent technicians to ensure operation and maintenance.
For mining companies (operating 24/7), the energy budget represents up to 30% of their operating costs.
The project enabled the plant to reduce its fuel consumption by 6 million liters per year.
