New energy sources: ISA, Germany and the Czech Republic

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), comprising 116 countries (including the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain, India and over 30 African countries), is to allocate almost USD 35 million to construct mini-grids and rooftop installations mainly in Africa. The alliance’s financial mechanism, the Global Solar Facility, is to collect USD 100 million to help implement photovoltaic projects and connect 733 million people worldwide to renewable energy sources. In 2022, global solar investment exceeded $300 billion, but only 15% of it was implemented in developing countries.

Germany is interested in cooperating with Nigeria on importing natural gas (LNG) to ensure the diversification of energy supplies. Germany already imports Nigerian crude oil, but it needs gas after shutting down pipelines from Russia and its nuclear power plants. Natural gas deliveries from Senegal are also scheduled to begin in the second half of 2024.

The Czech authorities have accepted offers to construct a new nuclear unit – part of the Dukovany nuclear power plant – from the American-Canadian Westinghouse Electric Company, the French EDF and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company. According to the decision of the Czech government, Chinese and Russian companies could not participate in the tender. The unit construction is scheduled to begin in 2029 and will be ready for testing seven years later. Last year, Czech nuclear energy generated 37% of the country’s electricity, and coal, which will be phased out by 2033, generated 48%.