The solution to the electricity deficit on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde, “is already on its way” the archipelago’s Economy, Growth and competition Minister, José Brito said Wednesday in Praia.

The minister, who was speaking to the press following a visit to the Palmarejo power and desalination plant (Praia), said that the two generators that had recently arrived were being assembled, which would add 15 megawatts of capacity to Praia.

He noted that a 15 percent increase of energy consumption was expected and that the government was negotiating with the African Development Bank (ADB) to acquire two generators with an additional capacity of 20 megawatts.

The minister said that the Cape Verdean government’s proposal was expected to be approved in December by the ADB board and that the process of acquiring the two generators would begin. They are expected to take two and a half years to arrive on the archipelago.

Brito also said the government planned to buy wind turbines with a total 20 megawatt capacity.

The turbines, according to Brito, will give Cape Verde, by the end of next year, wind power penetration of around 20 percent.

Source: Macauhub