The Gambian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, in partnership with the ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) reviews off-grid solar market assessment report for the Gambia on Monday.
Funded by the World Bank, the forum is meant is to assess the market for off-grid solar systems and recommend the most realistic market–based mechanism that will lead to scaling up access using solar technologies supplied by the private sectors.
Rohey Darboe Bittage, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, said the regional off-grid electrification project (ROGEP) is supporting The Gambia and 18 other countries in West Africa, to accelerate the deployment of standalone solar PV systems in off-grid areas to increase electricity access by both stimulating public and private sector investments in rural electrification.
She pointed out that access to electricity is a prerequisite for the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of existing ones, providing the platform for employment creation, social development and economic growth.
“As part of our strategy for universal electricity access, The Gambian government has set a target to connect one-third of the rural population through off-grid solutions by 2030, which includes mini-grids and stand-alone home systems,’’ she revealed.
According to her, The Gambia is participating in the ROGEP project which is designed specifically to develop a regional market for standalone solar home systems and to provide access to financing for solar businesses.
“The availability of reliable electricity supply is efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly and is one of the cornerstones of The Gambian Government’s development aspirations for the energy sector,” she said.
She urges all the participants to critically review the report and provide valuable inputs to ensure that all aspects of the off-grid solar market in The Gambia are adequately covered.
Mr. Sirreh Jallow, representative of ECOWAS (ECREEE), disclosed that they will like to work with the MoPE to make sure the reports reflect on everybody’s view.
According to him, the ECREEE will implement US$ 17.5 million in partnership with the national governments of 19 projects in the ECOWAS region
“ECREEE will follow a consultative process with its focal persons in the Ministry of Energy of all project countries and other ROGEP stakeholders to implement this component,’’ he added.
He also pointed out that at the end of the validation, project in its implementation will be able to address the issues face by The Gambia in terms of electrification.