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The International Solar Alliance (ISA) inaugurated a Solar Academy at the École Polytechnique de Thiès (EPT) in Senegal as part of its flagship Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) initiative. Funded by the French Republic, the centre was inaugurated by HE Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, Senegal’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, in the presence of officials from Senegal’s Ministries of Education and Energy, representatives from ISA, and diplomats from the French Mission in Senegal.
Building Human Capacity for Energy Transition
The Solar Academy aims to provide certified, long-term training programs on solar energy for Senegalese citizens, with the National Agency for Renewable Energies (ANER) serving as the focal point. The STAR-C initiative seeks to empower ISA Member Countries by developing local skills, enabling them to lead energy transitions independently, and fostering economic growth and job creation.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of ISA, emphasized the global significance of the STAR-C initiative:
“These centres are crucial for supporting the growth and sustainability of the solar energy sector. With increasing interest from countries, the potential to form a regional and global network of STAR Centres is growing.”
Key Outcomes Highlighted
At the inauguration, Minister Diouf highlighted three key outcomes of the initiative:
Senegal’s proactive approach to harnessing solar energy, an abundant and inexhaustible resource for one of the sunniest nations in the world.
Strong collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines.
Effective partnerships between Senegal and international institutions such as UNIDO, ISA, and the French Embassy, contributing to the success of the initiative.
Expanding the STAR-C Network Globally
The Solar Academy in Senegal is part of ISA’s broader strategy to establish STAR-Centres across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific regions. In 2024, ISA launched STAR-Centres in seven countries, including Ethiopia, Somalia, and Cuba, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The Senegal facility was completed under a project with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, which targets three pilot countries: Senegal, Bhutan, and Papua New Guinea. The centre has already begun its first training session for solar PV technicians with 27 participants, while upcoming courses will focus on solar thermal energy.
Regional and Global Impact
ISA, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is harmonizing qualifications and standards for solar products and services. Training programs and workshops are being rolled out to develop regional quality infrastructure frameworks for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy in Africa and the Pacific region.
Senegal’s Solar Academy is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing local energy needs while contributing to global climate commitments. |
