Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-03-11 10:50:42
The President of The Gambia, Mr. Adama Barrow, recently celebrated the commissioning of a solar energy plant in the western Gambian village of Jambur as a significant milestone in the country’s transition to renewable energy. This event marked the culmination of the Gambia Renewable Energy Project, a collaboration between the Gambia government, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union (EU), and the World Bank (WB).
The project, also known as the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project, aims to address the electricity needs of the Gambian population. It includes the construction of a 23 Mega Watt (MW) solar photovoltaic (P.V.) plant and an 8 Mega Watts Hour (MWh) battery energy storage system. Additionally, the project involves transmission and distribution restoration, modernization, national grid expansion, institutional support for sector turnaround, and the installation of on-grid and off-grid P.V./battery systems for 1100 schools and health centers.
President Barrow expressed his delight at the commissioning of the Jambur Solar Plant, emphasizing its significance in reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels for power generation. He highlighted the project’s role in accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources and achieving the goal of generating 50% of the nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2030.
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the global energy transition and climate change mitigation efforts through the adoption of clean energy sources. He also announced plans to implement a 150 MW regional solar park, with the tender for the first 50 MW scheduled for launch in the second quarter of the year through an Independent Power Producer (IPP) project.
President Barrow expressed his gratitude to the World Bank, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank for their support in making the project a reality. The governor of the West Coast Region, Ousman Bojang, and Jambur Alkalo, Haruna Bojang, also expressed their delight at the inauguration of the climate-friendly energy generation plant in their area.
Overall, the commissioning of the Jambur Solar Plant represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable energy policy goals in The Gambia. It serves as a testament to the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and greening its energy landscape. With further plans for the implementation of regional solar parks, The Gambia is poised to become a leader in clean energy initiatives in the region.
Read the original article on The Voice Gambia
