By: Mariama Njie
Honorable Fafa Sanyang, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, has revealed that government of The Gambia will commission a 30 mega watt dual fuel in 2022 through a private sector participation as an independent power producer.
The Minister made this revelation over the weekend during the launching of the 20MW power plant in Brikama that was launched by President Adama Barrow.
He said the 30MW is expected to increase the domestic generation capacity whilst creating business opportunities for private investments in electricity generation and will contribute to The Gambia’s foreign direct investment inflow portfolio.
“The addition of new generation capacity is complemented with the continued expansion and reinforcement of the transmission and distribution network throughout the country with the ultimate goal of having a national grid that connects the whole country through a 225 KV high voltage transmission line,” he disclosed.
He added that the government through his Ministry is committed to promoting the development and deployment of renewable energy for both on grid and off-grid applications.
He noted that government has secured funding for the construction of the first large scale on grid 20MW solar PV power plant in Jambur.
“Preparation for the construction of the power plant is in high gear and is expected to come online in 2022 to add to the electricity generation mix,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the area of off-grid electrification, he said his Ministry with support from the African Development Bank has developed policy and regulatory framework to promote green mini-grids in rural off-grids communities. Adding “our strategy for universal electricity access, we target to connect one third of the rural population through off-grids solutions by 2030.”
According to him this target cannot be readily achieved without putting in place an effective regulatory framework and developing the necessary financial support and that “the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is actively engages in bilateral, regional and international discussions that promotes energy cooperation, transit and trade.”
In his highlights to some of the achievements in terms of electricity access, he said they have electrified 66 communities in the greater Banjul area and 23 in the provinces since 2017.