Identifying potentially suitable areas for solar and wind project development can assist countries in reducing assessment costs. This allows the government to conduct more detailed evaluations that account for investment and operating costs of prospective plants in areas that are deemed most suitable.

This study seeks to map suitable areas in Burkina Faso for deploying utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power projects.

This report provides insights on the country’s potential to adopt solar PV and wind power; information on potential areas to explore in national grid infrastructure planning; and input for high-level policy models to ensure universal electricity supply and support for the long-term abatement of climate change. The study combines high-quality resource data with supplementary factors (i.e. protected areas, topography, transmission lines and road network proximity) using a suitability assessment approach.

The findings of this study indicate that a significant portion of Burkina Faso’s land area is suitable for solar PV and wind development. It suggests a maximum development potential of approximately 95.9 and 1.96 gigawatts (GW) for solar PV and wind projects, respectively. These findings intend to prompt further action to identify specific sites for in-depth assessment using high resolution spatial and temporal data.

Report by Irena