The Gambia entered a new era of energy development in April 2023 with the inauguration of its first large-scale solar energy facility in Jambur.
Built by Chinese manufacturer Tebian Electric Apparatus, the 23 MW solar plant – equipped with an 8 MW electricity storage system – serves to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
During the inauguration of the establishment, Gambian President Adama Barrow affirmed that the Jambur solar park “aims to accelerate the country’s transition to a 50% supply of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.”
Nani Juwara, the Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for continual investments in renewables to guarantee energy security for the nation and financial sustainability for the state-owned NAWEC.
The MSGBC basin has emerged as a key area for hydrocarbon exploration, attracting notable players such as FAR and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, who are actively involved in offshore oil and gas exploration off the coast of The Gambia.
However, concurrently, The Gambia is intensifying its transition towards renewable energy to address the growing demand for power, which has surged by 5.5% in recent years.
Blessed with approximately 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, The Gambia boasts a minimum daily solar production capacity of 4 kWh per m2.
Furthermore, the country benefits from favorable wind power conditions, with wind speeds ranging from 3.4 to 4.2 meters per second at a height of 30 meters.
Presently, The Gambia boasts an installed power generation capacity surpassing 100 MW; however, it merely produces approximately 40 MW, grappling with a demand that surpasses 50 MW.
To tackle this challenge, the government is initiating a tender for the initial 50 MW segment of a 150 MW regional solar park in the second quarter of 2024.
Furthermore, in September of last year, an MOU was inked with Swiss engineering firm NEK Umwelttechnik AG to construct a 200 MW onshore and 350 MW offshore wind farm, slated for commissioning by 2027.
Turning its gaze towards the horizon, The Gambia is delving into the realm of green hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with H2 Gambia Limited, a subsidiary of HydroGenesis, has been established to evaluate the economic feasibility of hydrogen production within the country.
Positioned strategically, The Gambia holds potential for both regional and global hydrogen exports, leveraging the enhanced infrastructure being developed in neighboring Senegal to support its burgeoning oil and gas sector.
Collaborative efforts with Mauritania, which boasts a pipeline of over 80 MW of green hydrogen projects, could catalyze the transformation of the MSGBC region into a pivotal green energy hub.
Achieving these aspirations hinges significantly on infrastructure investment. Revamping power generation and transmission infrastructure, constructing highways, and enhancing maritime facilities are imperative to facilitate the expansion of exports.
Development finance institutions like the European Investment Bank and World Bank, in conjunction with potential buyers such as the European Union, are poised to provide financial support for these initiatives, supplementing their existing €100 million investments in The Gambia’s renewable energy sector.