Cabo Verde DOUBLES Solar CAPACITY With Portugal

Key Figures & Findings: Cape Verde is set to double the capacity of its Palmarejo Photovoltaic Plant, thanks to a €6.8 million investment by a consortium led by Águas de Ponta Preta (Cape Verde) and Resul (Portugal). The upgraded plant aims to improve energy security, environmental sustainability, and lower costs for consumers, according to Industry, Trade, and Energy Minister Alexandre Monteiro.

 Statistics & Insights:

•  Capacity Increase: The plant's maximum capacity will more than double, rising from 4.4 MW to 10 MW.

•  Population Served: The new capacity is equivalent to supplying 20,000 to 25,000 inhabitants.

•  Fund Source: The initial Climate and Environment Fund was created from €12.5 million converted from debt owed to Portugal. The debt conversion program has since been extended to €42.5 million with a horizon until 2030.

•  Dismantling/Installation: The intervention requires six months to dismantle the current plant and nine months to install more modern panels.

Future Implications: The Palmarejo expansion is a flagship model for climate-aligned financing in small island economies. With Portugal already extending the debt conversion programme, Cape Verde could attract similar sustainability-linked funding from other international partners, accelerating its transition toward energy independence and low-carbon growth.

Source: Plataforma Media

Quick Take: Cape Verde’s sun is pulling double duty — powering homes, slashing emissions, and turning old debt into clean energy dividends. ☀️🇨🇻⚡