Gambia launches renewable energy programme

The Gambia Renewable Energy Programme that will generate 20MW of Solar Energy, new transmission lines and electrification of 1,100 schools and health centres across the country has been officially launched.

This initiative is expected to benefit rural schools and Health centres across the country.

Partners such as the European Investment Bank, World Bank and European Union are extending collective support to Gambia.

The new engagement will enable 430km new power distribution infrastructure to increase access to energy in both urban and rural areas.

The Gambia is the first country in the world to combine Solar power with battery storage at all 1,100 school and Health centres in the country.

European Investment Bank is supporting other energy projects in Africa including solar power generation projects in Morocco and Zambia, and Africa’s largest-ever private sector investment on the shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya.

Mamburay Njie, Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs noted that the main objective of the project is to improve access to clean energy, sustainable increase on the current energy supply to 20% in the country and ensure that rural schools and health centres get access to reliable power supply.