French power giant Engie and investment firm Meridiam have been awarded two solar PV projects totalling 60MW(AC) in Senegal with record low prices ranging between Euro cents 3.80-3.98/kWh.

Senegal’s Electricity Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE) announced the results of the tender under the Scaling Solar program, which is supported by the World Bank. CRSE had received 14 bids from 8 of the 13 qualified bidders for both locations.

The awarded solar plant located in Kahone will have a tariff of Euro cents 3.80/kWh, while another plant located in Touba will have a tariff of Euro cents 3.98/kWh.

A release from the Scaling Solar website, said that the results were a “major breakthrough”, bringing prices down 60% from the previous lowest ever tariff in Senegal.

The release stated: “This demonstrates that Scaling Solar's innovative approach to bring investors and governments together in a transparent, streamlined, and competitive process leads to successful deals that will provide clean, affordable energy for Africa.”

Record low tariffs have already been achieved in the first Scaling Solar tender in Zambia for a 47.5MW(AC) facility with a price of US¢6.015/kWh.

Last year Engie and Meridiam inaugurated a 30MW project also in Senegal.

State-run utility Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) recently announced the list of pre-qualified bidders for the country’s 250MW(AC) Scaling Solar tender. The World Bank also plans to make energy storage an integral part of its ‘Scaling Solar’ program.