News and Events

GBA to electricity status to be improved with 225kv line, other GERMP projects

According to him, the project launched is part of the $164million Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project (GERMP), adding that the project is designed to support the implementation of immediate priority investments to restore the delivery of electricity services in targeted municipalities and regional areas and complement fiscal stability efforts. “The electricity sector Roadmap, approved by Cabinet in 2017, casts a vision to modernize the energy sector for a new Gambia, and move towards 24/7 access to electricity by all Gambians. It identifies short, medium and long-term investment needs to modernize electricity system in The Gambia with emphasis on the restoration of effective and efficient power supply services in the GBA,” said Petroleum and Energy Minister. He added: “The Project we are inaugurating today clearly manifests the enormous efforts of the government to modernize the transmission and distribution infrastructure in the Greater Banjul Area. It is funded by the World Bank with government contribution of D131million to compensate the affected land and property owners on the right way for the transmission line.” His Excellency Ma Jianchum, Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia has expressed delight and appreciation for the commencement of the Greater Banjul Electricity Transmission and Distribution Modernization Project, asserting that the project is a model of fruitful international cooperation. “We are delighted to witness that the EPC project of Transmission Infrastructures in the Greater Banjul Area commenced today (it) is a model of International cooperation. The project is planned by the Gambian government, co-funded by the World Bank, European Investment Bank and European Union, designed and constructed by Chinese Companies, furthermore French and Spanish Companies are also involved,” Chinese Ambassador substantiated. He added: “This demonstrates the strong cooperation of the international community to support the development of The Gambia. I believe that, with the joint efforts and close cooperation of all partners, the implementation of this project will be successful with fruitful results. He added: “I believe, with high-end manufacturing capability, advanced technology and abundant experiences, TBEA will complete the project successfully and hand over to The Gambia a high-quality demonstration project.” Nani Juwara, the managing director of NAWEC, said the contract for the project includes the design, supply and installation of a 17KM 225kV high voltage transmission line from Brikama to Jabang, and 225kV/ 33kV substation in Jabang, 33kV substation in Kotu with additional 33kV lines to be constructed to interface with the existing network. He outlined that the objective of the project is to transform and enhance the transmission and distribution capability to NAWEC to international standard and will also improve NAWEC’s dispatching capacity, reduce technical losses, improve network stability and enable utility to incorporate more renewable energy sources into the grid. As part of efforts to achieve universal access to electricity by 2025, he said NAWEC and MBH POWER have signed a contract for the Laminkoto/ Diabugu back borne project covering over 46 communities and works are expected to commence before the end of this year as their target is to cover over 685 communities countrywide to have access to electricity in the next 36 months.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy hosted a validation workshop on the energy efficiency Law(bill) on May 18th 2023 at Tamala Beach Hotel. This workshop brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries and organizations to discuss and dissect the bill.

Energy is a vital ingredient for the socioeconomic development of any country. Cognizant of this, the government of The Gambia, over the past years has been making significant efforts to provide reliable, adequate, affordable and sustainable energy services to its people. The successful implementation of the Energy efficiency bill is of great importance and a priority to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and to all stakeholders.

The formulation of the Energy efficiency bill is supported by World Bank Group and drafted by consultants from the Economic Consulting Associates (ECA) through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to develop and implement a comprehensive energy efficiency program for the country.

In the opening ceremony Mr. Matarr Touray, an Energy Specialist from World Bank, spoke on the numerous benefits of energy efficiency especially with the changing electricity tariffs and fluctuating exchange rates. Mr. Touray stated “The law has been developed to inherently feature local context and the development of a robust institutional framework to address pertinent issues as it relates to energy efficiency, these include issues of gender mainstreaming, financing mechanisms and data to ensure that the bill is adequately and appropriately imbedded within the sector”.

In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Mrs Amie Njie Joof illuminated on the inefficient use of energy in our day to day lives, like leaving lights and air conditioners on in empty rooms, inefficient practices like these need to be curbed to ensure sustainable use of electricity.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted on the fact that resources are scares and that electricity is not provided to every community in the country, has resulted in the formulation of the policy on energy efficiency and conservation, which promotes the efficient and wise use of energy by every user, to save energy for use by others. As the saying goes, “energy saved is energy produced”.

 PS Njie also added that “since the promulgation of policies on energy efficiency and conservation as part of the National Energy Policy, numerous activities have been carried out on energy efficiency and conservation throughout the country.  Other activities include sensitization on energy efficiency and conservation, replacement of incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs and the promotion and distribution of improved cookstoves and rolling out the National Framework for Leapfrogging to Energy Efficient and Climate Friendly air Conditioners and Refrigerators Project. This project is intended to enhance energy efficiency in the country and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions”.

The Permanent Secretary in her conclusion indicated that the Energy Efficiency Bill once enacted into law, will serve as the bedrock for the country’s energy management system in the country.