Madagascar: The first wind farm in Madagascar under construction

The State and Qit Minerals Madagascar (QMM) are committed to setting up a wind farm in the city of Tolagnaro. Installation began in August 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

A first stone brought to the building of the energy mix. In the columns of the local press, the executive director of Qit Minerals Madagascar announces that “the first wind farm on the Big Island will indeed see the light of day in the Anôsy region.” A large-scale project that is the result of a successful partnership between the Malagasy government and this multinational, a branch of Rio Tinto.

Thus, the Tolagnaro region is spoiled in terms of energy because, in addition to being a city that does not experience or experiences very little load shedding, it now offers a prime location to appreciate the transition and energy mix. Indeed, the wind power plant, which can provide up to sixteen megawatts of electricity, will see its production combined with that of the recently commissioned solar plant. “When the wind farm comes on line, the combination with the solar park would produce more than half of the electricity needs for the city of Tolagnaro and the mining company together,” reads a press release.

Thus, in a context where it is important to proceed with the energy transition, the very example of clean energy mix can be contemplated within a few months in this pearl of the southeast of the country. It is the very example of the fact that, through political will, but also (and above all) significant investments, as well as reducing dependence on oil, load shedding problems could be eliminated. Since 2007, Tolagnaro has not experienced any load shedding. And this, due to a partnership between Jirama and QMM, encouraged by the State through the Integrated Growth Poles project (PIC). The mining company added production capacity from its thermal power plant, the PIC financed the electricity transport facilities and the adaptation of the old Jirama power plant.

Statistics

Currently, renewable energies constitute 40% of the products distributed to consumers in the country; the rest is made up of thermal energies. Considering energy transition as inevitable would be the best way to deal with persistent electricity problems. There are fuel costs, paralyzing the national Water and Electricity Company, but there is also concern for the environment. For its part, the State intends to chart its course with green energies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and anticipate the needs of a growing population.

According to the latest statistics, the country has six million households, with an urban population representing 20% of the total population. The potential for energy transition is there, hidden in various regions of the country. Madagascar aims to boost its energy production, notably by taking the step to launch major projects for power plants like Volobe and Sahofika, but also by focusing on green energies, especially solar, hydroelectric, and wind energies.

Itamara Randriamamonjy