By Ramatoulie Jawo
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, has officially inaugurated the Transmission and Distribution Modernization Project at the Salagi Forest, marking a significant milestone in The Gambia’s energy sector. The event was part of the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), is supported by the World Bank Group, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank. It aims to enhance electricity transmission, improve reliability, and bolster economic growth in The Gambia.
According to government officials, the foundation for the initiative was laid by President Barrow on June 5, 2021, following the signing of the Transmission and Distribution Modernization Project contract in December 2020.
President Barrow highlighted that the project is a testament to the strong partnership between his government, the European Union, the World Bank, and the European Investment Bank. He emphasized the crucial role of energy in national development and modernization, noting that since 2017, his administration has strategically prioritized and significantly invested in the country’s energy sector.
Reflecting on the progress made, President Barrow stated that eight years of commitment and investment have resulted in a more stable power supply compared to previous years. He added that the project will enable The Gambia to either export or import electricity within the West African Power Pool, further integrating the country into the regional energy network.
“The advantage is that it will further improve the country’s energy security system and create the opportunity to access the least costly power generation hubs within the ECOWAS subregion,” he said.
He highlighted that, given The Gambia’s dedication to energy transition and achieving its nationally determined contributions (NDCs), the country has set ambitious goals for a significant integration of variable renewable energy sources.
Barrow stressed that these renewable energy targets can only be realized with a robust and modernized national electricity grid—something this high-voltage infrastructure aims to deliver.
“With determination we will continue to strengthen and expand our electricity grid and access to attain our ambitious goal of universal access by the end of 2025 I assure you all that this goal remains very dear to my government, and it ranks high on our national development plan,” he said
He emphasized that, despite the project’s significance and scale for the nation, realizing its full benefits largely depends on how effectively it is operated and maintained.
He expressed hope that the management and staff of NAWEC would not only operate and maintain the infrastructure efficiently, but also safeguard it diligently for the benefit of the entire nation.
The World Bank country director and the European Investment Bank representative praised the government for the project, underscoring its contribution to enhancing energy independence and strengthening the stability of the country’s power supply.
“With electricity losses currently at 22%, these investments are crucial steps towards reducing losses to the medium term target of 15%. Electricity demand has increased by 144% since 2017 highlighting the need to reinforce infrastructure across the value chain,” said Roger Steward, the European investment Bank representative.
He highlighted that over the past five years, The Gambia’s electricity sector has transitioned from being heavily reliant on fuel-based utilities to a more diverse and cleaner energy mix. This includes energy imports, private sector generation, and renewable sources.
The European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Immaculada Roca i Cortes, stressed that this progress will greatly strengthen NAWEC’s ability to provide stable and efficient electricity to households and businesses nationwide.
She added that more than 800,000 Gambians, along with thousands of schools and hundreds of health centers in rural areas, will benefit from a reliable energy supply through new connections to the national grid and the provision of off-grid solar and battery systems.
“A steady energy supply will also enable the private sector, the industries to operate efficiently, attracting investment and creating jobs. The project will therefore help address power shortages, and the country as a whole will benefit from new power transmission and distribution infrastructure,” she said.
She emphasized that without a stable energy infrastructure, economic and social progress will always remain limited.
She further noted that the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank have been strong partners of African countries for over half a century.
“This project further strengthens our presence in the Gambia and the existing fruitful collaboration between our institutions,” she said.
Officials highlighted that this landmark project demonstrates the government’s dedication to modernizing The Gambia’s power transmission infrastructure, strengthening national energy stability, and boosting electricity supply to support the country’s socio-economic development.
Key components of the project include:
- An 18 km, 225kV transmission line from Brikama to Jabang
- A National Control Centre
- A 225/33kV substation in Jabang
- A 33kV substation at Kotu Tank
- Six 33kV medium-voltage (MV) lines
- Upgrades to three primary substations
- Rehabilitation of 52 secondary substations
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