B2Gold completes Fekola solar plant
Vancouver-based B2Gold has completed and commenced operations of the Phase 2 expansion of the Fekola solar plant, in Mali.
B2Gold began construction of the Phase 2 expansion in June 2023, with initial land clearing and road construction, followed by physical equipment construction in February 2024.
The expansion was completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and became operational in January 2025.
The project included the installation of an additional 46 200 solar panels, bringing the total panel count at the Fekola plant to 142 912.
The expansion adds 22 MW of solar capacity, bringing the total to 52 MW, and increases battery storage capacity by 12.7 MWh to a total of 27.7 MWh.
"The expansion of the Fekola solar plant is a significant initiative in support of B2Gold’s emission reduction target. The expanded facility will allow the Fekola site team to turn off the HFO [heavy fuel oil] plant for a portion of the day during times of sufficient solar radiation, a tremendous achievement for B2Gold and a testament to our commitment to implementing renewable-energy solutions," commented B2Gold director of sustainability Ken Jones.
The upgraded Fekola solar plant is expected to cut CO2-equivalent emissions by about 63 000 t/y and reduce HFO consumption by an estimated 20-million litres a year.
The plant now supplies about 30% of the site's total electricity demand, making it one of the largest off-grid solar/HFO hybrid power plants in the world.
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