The transitional parliament of Burkina Faso has agreed to sign off on a loan from China to develop the Donsin solar power plant and accompanying electricity storage system.

The concessional loan agreement for 30 billion CFA francs (US$49.3 million) was initially signed in September 2023 by the Burkinabe government and the Export-Import Bank of China. The CFA franc is the currency of eight countries across West Africa.

The loan agreement, put forward by President Ibrahim Traoré and the Council of Ministers, needed parliamentary approval. The 25-megawatt (peak) solar power plant at Donsin airport site in the Loumbila district of central Burkina Faso will also feature a 5MW / 20MWh battery storage system.

Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Quarries wants to enhance the reliability of energy supply at Donsin airport while reducing reliance on imported power.

La Société nationale d'électricité du Burkina Faso (Sonabel) is the offtaker and represents the country in the West African Power Pool.