Gambia: President Barrow inaugurates pioneering 23MW solar power plant with battery storage

In a historic moment for The Gambia, President Adama Barrow officially inaugurated the nation’s first Solar Power Plant with an impressive 23 megawatts capacity and an 8 megawatt-hour battery storage on Saturday. This monumental occasion marks a significant leap forward in The Gambia’s energy landscape.

President Barrow highlighted the inauguration as a major milestone in the country’s efforts to revamp its energy sector. Emphasizing the global push for renewable energy, particularly solar projects, he expressed the timely nature of this venture.

The ambitious vision of electrifying the entire country by 2025 was reiterated by President Barrow. The Solar Plant is expected to bring a reliable energy supply to approximately one thousand schools and one hundred health centers in rural Gambia. This initiative is part of “The Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project,” aiming not only to provide power but also to generate employment.

A representative from the European Investment Bank, a key partner in the project, stated that over one thousand two hundred and fifty direct jobs would be created, spanning from construction to operation and maintenance phases. This development aligns with broader global efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions.

The impact of the Solar Power Plant extends beyond job creation, with an estimated eight hundred and thirty-four thousand inhabitants set to benefit from this groundbreaking project. The Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project, with its emphasis on renewable energy, promises not only improved access to electricity but also significant socio-economic advancements for the nation.

As The Gambia steps into a new era of energy sustainability, the inauguration of this Solar Power Plant stands as a beacon of progress and a testament to the nation’s commitment to a greener and brighter future.