Somalia’s push for renewable energy is gaining momentum, with the government recently issuing a tender to power schools and other institutions with solar technology across the country. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources is developing new strategies to harness solar energy in eight different locations and is accepting proposals until early August 2024. This initiative is a response to the severe impacts of climate change and the country’s persistent power cuts.
Addressing Water and Energy Crises
Climate change has exacerbated Somalia’s already challenging conditions, bringing extreme weather events like droughts that devastate livestock and crop production – particularly in rural areas. These conditions have led to increased malnutrition among children and highlighted the urgent need for reliable energy sources to support essential services.
Somalia’s focus on solar energy is a critical step toward addressing these challenges. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has announced tenders to install solar power systems in 46 educational facilities in the southern Banadir region, which includes the capital, Mogadishu.
These systems will range from 16 kW to 250 kW and include energy storage systems from 50 kWh to 800 kWh. Funded by the World Bank under the Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP), these projects aim to increase access to energy and improve supply security across Somalia.
Implementation Timeline and Funding
The companies awarded the tenders will have eight months to complete each project. In November 2023, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development inaugurated a 3.5 MW solar power plant in Bosaso, which became the city’s main electricity source. This project is part of a broader initiative by the UAE to support clean energy development in Somalia and other African regions.
A solar power plant in Somalia.
Somalia’s installed solar capacity increased by 8.5% last year, reaching 51 MW compared to 47 MW in 2022, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
In early 2024, the federal government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a three-year, $228 million ‘Africa Mini-Grid’ project. This initiative aims to develop rural areas through small, localized solar grids that provide reliable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance climate resilience. The project targets 21 African countries, including Somalia, for mini-grid rollouts.
UNDP Somalia representative Jocelyn Mason emphasized the transformative potential of these projects, noting that energy access is crucial for essential services like education and healthcare. With 65% of Somalis lacking electricity, expanding this access could significantly improve living standards.
Echoing this, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Jama Taqal stated that Somalia’s solar energy projects would greatly enhance access to clean electricity and improve service delivery across the nation.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
The Africa Mini-Grid project is expected to provide clean energy to approximately 66,760 Somalis, half of whom are women, while reducing on-site carbon emissions by about 30,000 tons of CO2 annually. This shift from diesel generators to solar energy will also lower electricity costs for consumers and contribute to environmental conservation.
While Somalia is also exploring its oil and gas resources—with the Turkish Ministry of Energy signing a cooperation agreement in March 2024—the focus on solar projects represents a crucial step toward sustainable development. These investments in solar energy for educational institutions and rural communities underscore Somalia’s commitment to renewable energy as the country confronts the climate crisis and energy scarcity.
Solar power projects in Somalia showcase the potential of the Third Industrial Revolution, bringing economic, social, and environmental benefits to those most affected by climate change. These initiatives illustrate how renewable energy can drive progress in a region facing significant challenges, offering a path to greater resilience and sustainability.
