By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Saturday, February 4th 2023 laid the foundation stone for the construction of 23 MWH Solar PV Plant at Jambur village, Kombo South, West Coast Region.
The project is funded by the European Investment Bank and World Bank at an estimated tune of 27 million US Dollars.
Officials say the construction of the Solar Plant by TBEA, a Chinese company, will last for 12 months under the management of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, through the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
President Barrow said the solar project is part of the restoration, transformation and modernisation of the country’s energy system and that the optimal goal is to provide reliable, accessibly, and affordable electricity to the people of The Gambia.
This solar project is in line with our national Strategic Roadmap, 2021-2024, aimed at attaining universal energy access by 2025 and transforming The Gambia electricity sub-sector, as approved by cabinet in November 2021”. He added that this will ensure that government diversifies energy use, and thanked development partners for their continued support since 2017.
The President revealed that government spent 80 million Dalasi as compensation of those affected by the project. He lamented that negotiation between the government and the concerned community resulted in delay for the start of the construction.
Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, posited that this project will change the landscape of the country’s energy sector, noting that the solar PV plant will provide green energy and improve electricity supply to The Gambian people.
He therefore urged all parties taking part in the implementation of the project to ensure the project successfully implemented.
Nana Juwara, Managing Director of NAWEC informed that there are other regional solar plants in Farafenni, 150 MWH; and 10.5 MW in Soma and Basse.
Mr Juwara underscored the importance of project in mitigating climate change, and assured of NAWEC’s commitment to continue to improve the electricity supply in the country.
The other speakers included: Mahtarr Touray, World Bank representative in Banjul; Daniel Tam, contractor, TBEA company of China; Mr. Luka, EU representative; the Governor of West Coast Region; and the Alkalo of Jambur village. They all thanked the government for the project.
