TotalEnergies Launches the New Mali solar plant in Kayes Region
TotalEnergies has officially announced the launch of a new 50 MWp (megawatt-peak) solar power plant in the Kayes region of Western Mali, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s pursuit of clean and reliable energy. This project underscores a growing commitment to renewable energy in the Sahel and will play a crucial role in addressing Mali’s chronic power shortages.
Powering Progress with the Mali solar plant in the Falémé Area
Located in the Falémé area near the Senegal River border, the plant is strategically positioned in a region blessed with high solar irradiance, receiving over 2,000 kWh/m² annually. This prime location ensures optimal energy production and long-term efficiency.
The facility is engineered with advanced technology to maximize its output. It features ground-mounted bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules, which capture sunlight on both sides, and single-axis trackers that follow the sun’s path throughout the day. This combination is expected to generate approximately 110 GWh of clean electricity per year—enough to power around 100,000 homes and feed directly into the national grid managed by the national utility, EDM-SA.
The project is a collaborative effort, developed by TotalEnergies as the lead operator in partnership with local developer Senergy and with the full support of the Malian government. After reaching financial close in late 2024, construction began in early 2025 and has now reached its commercial operation date in the first quarter of 2026, under a 25 to 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EDM-SA.
A Multifaceted Impact on Mali from the new solar plant
The benefits of the Kayes solar plant extend far beyond electricity generation. For a country with a national electrification rate of around 30%, this new facility provides a vital boost to energy access, reducing dependence on expensive imported diesel fuel and mitigating the unreliability of seasonal hydropower.
Key impacts of the project include:
- Economic Growth: The construction phase created approximately 500 local jobs, and the plant’s ongoing operations will employ about 50 permanent staff. The project also incorporates community development initiatives, including local training programs and improved access to water.
- Environmental Sustainability: The plant will displace carbon-intensive energy sources, cutting COâ‚‚ emissions by an estimated 50,000 tons annually. Furthermore, the project integrates sustainable land use practices like agrivoltaics, allowing sheep to graze under the solar panels, and includes measures to protect local biodiversity.
- Strategic Alignment: This launch aligns perfectly with Mali’s National Energy Strategy, which aims for 60% of the country’s energy mix to come from renewable sources by 2030.
TotalEnergies’ Continued Commitment to Africa with the Mali solar plant
The Kayes plant is another milestone in TotalEnergies’ broader strategy to develop 25 GW of renewable capacity globally by 2030, with a strong focus on Africa. It builds upon the company’s previous successes in Mali, including the 50 MW Kita solar plant which came online in 2023.
By successfully bringing this project to fruition, TotalEnergies and its partners are not only delivering clean power but also fostering sustainable development and energy resilience in a region facing significant challenges. This investment serves as a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can unlock renewable energy potential and drive a just energy transition.
For more information on similar initiatives, you can visit the renewables section on the TotalEnergies website.
