The Gambia entered a brand new period of power improvement in April 2023 with the inauguration of the primary large-scale photo voltaic power facility in Jambur. Built by Chinese producer Tebian Electric Apparatusthe 23 MW photo voltaic plant – geared up with an 8 MW electrical energy storage system – serves to cut back the nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
While launching the power, Gambian President Adama Barrow acknowledged that the Jambur photo voltaic park “goals to speed up the nation’s transition to 50% electrical energy provide from renewable power sources by 2030.” Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), Nani Juwara, additionally known as steady renewable investments to assist guarantee power safety for the nation and monetary viability of the state-owned NAWEC.
The MSGBC basin has turn out to be a hub for hydrocarbon exploration, with distinguished entities akin to FAR and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation engaged in oil and gasoline exploration offshore Gambia. But on the identical time, The Gambia is taking it straightforward transition to renewable power to satisfy the growing demand for electrical energy, which has elevated by 5.5% lately. The Gambia advantages from virtually 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, which interprets right into a minimal day by day photo voltaic manufacturing capability of 4 kWh per m2. In phrases of wind power, the nation enjoys favorable circumstances, with wind speeds starting from 3.4 to 4.2 meters per second at a top of 30 meters.
The Gambia at present has an put in energy technology capability of over 100 MW, however generates solely about 40 MW and faces a requirement of over 50 MW. To deal with this, the federal government launched a young for the primary 50 MW of the 150 MW regional photo voltaic park within the second quarter of 2024. In addition, an MOU was signed in September with the Swiss engineering firm NEK Umwelttechnik AG to to develop a 200 MW onshore and 350 MW offshore wind farm, anticipated to be commissioned in 2027.
Looking to the longer term, The Gambia can also be exploring inexperienced hydrogen as a clear supply of power. An MOU with H2 Gambia Limited, a subsidiary of HydroGenesis, seeks to guage the industrial viability of hydrogen manufacturing within the nation. Gambia’s location locations it favorably for regional and international exports, and it may possibly additionally profit from neighboring Senegal’s infrastructure, which has been revamped to help early oil and gasoline manufacturing. Further collaboration with Mauritania, which has greater than 80 MW of inexperienced hydrogen tasks within the pipeline, might speed up the transformation of the MSGBC area right into a inexperienced power hub.
To understand these ambitions, funding in infrastructure is crucial. Modernizing energy technology and transmission infrastructure, constructing highways and upgrading maritime complexes are wanted to accommodate new and elevated exports. Development monetary establishments such because the European Investment Bank and the World Bank, along with potential offtakers such because the European Union, are prepared to supply monetary help for these developments, constructing on their current €100 million funding within the Gambia’s renewable power sector.
The upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power convention and exhibition – which is able to happen in Dakar on December 3-4, 2024 – will showcase the most recent developments in renewable power and inexperienced hydrogen in The Gambia and the area. Serving as an necessary platform, the occasion will join worldwide buyers with key commerce, partnership and funding alternatives, facilitating the enlargement of the power sector.
Explore alternatives, develop partnerships and keep forward of the oil, gasoline and energy sector within the MSGBC area. VISITORS www.msgbcoilgasandpower.com to make sure your participation within the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2024 convention. To sponsor or take part as a delegate, please get in contact gross [email protected].
