Solar power has enormous potential to quickly and affordably meet the growing energy needs of emerging markets. But building large solar plants requires a lot of investment and many developing countries have until recently been off the radar of top developers. To fix this, the World Bank Group has launched Scaling Solar, a one-stop-shop program that helps countries to attract investors, run a competitive selection and contract the winning bidder to construct a solar power plant, all in less than two years.
For countries in a hurry to increase access to electricity, Scaling Solar is a powerful solution. For solar companies keen to expand their horizons, Scaling Solar is rapidly opening up new markets. In Zambia, where an energy crisis has led to daily blackouts, Scaling Solar has made it possible for the Government to quickly advance plans for utility-scale solar power plants near the capital, Lusaka.
Following Zambia’s successful launch, Scaling Solar has expanded elsewhere in Africa, with tenders coming soon in Senegal and Madagascar and several other countries in the queue. The emerging regional marketplace for solar power in Africa is also attracting increasing numbers of private companies and investors drawn to the new economies of scale that could soon be replicated in other parts of the world.
