In Benin, only 36.5% of the population had access to electricity in 2020, with significant disparities between urban (64.9%) and rural areas (10.4%). To bridge this gap, Benin is focused on increasing energy access and achieving energy autonomy, aiming for 100% access to electricity by 2030. The FORSUN project supports the expansion of electricity generation, including solar power, and strengthens the grid to meet growing demand, with targets of reaching 405 MW in additional capacity by 2025.

Under the FORSUN initiative, a pivotal component of this effort is the DEFISSOL project, a 25MWp solar PV plant commissioned in July 2022 as part of the TEI (Team Europe Initiative). In a major upgrade set to begin on November 12, 2024, this plant’s capacity will double to 50MWp, providing an additional 50,000 new connections to power. The project will feature extensive solar panel installations, transformers, and control systems financed by the EU and France, representing an essential investment in renewable energy for Benin’s sustainable future.