By Adama Makasuba
The US Embassy in Banjul through US Agency for International Development has announced a launch of first Solar Green Mini Grid Plant in The Gambia which will provide electricity to more than four thousand residents of Nyamanarr.
The project is support by Ecowas Renewable Energy Facility through US Agency for International Development and Power Africa.
“The United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Power Africa, worked with the Government of The Gambia and the private sector to launch the country’s first Solar Green Mini Grid Plant located at Nyamanarr in the Upper River Region. This effort will provide electricity access to more than 4,000 residents in the Nyamanarr community who have not had access to any modern energy services for more than a century.
“This effort will provide electricity access to more than 4,000 residents in the Naymanarr community who have not had access to any modern energy services for more than a century,” the US Embassy in Banjul said in a statement.
“This innovative solution will provide access to electricity for the community to support productive activities and enable the community to move up the socio-economic development ladder. With electricity in the village, you can stay and work in the village, internet facilities with hotspots will be set-up for education and leisure purposes, children can stay at night, new businesses will grow, and existing enterprises can expand,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, US Charge D’Affairs to The Gambia Virginia Elliott commended Unique Energy, promoters of the mini-grid and government of The Gambia for working together to see the project come to fruition despite the initial challenges.
Partnership between the private and public sectors underpin how Power Africa works with many enterprises in providing effective solutions. It is exciting to see communities like Nyamanarr benefitting from renewable energy,” it was added.