Total solar production in Gambia in 2024 is 23 MW. ⁸

The Gambia solar project aims for 60 MW of installed solar capacity by 2025 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. ⁹

• Diesel and oil: 0.27 USD/kWh. ⁴
• Solar Energy: 0.126 USD/ kWh. ¹⁰

Gambia has a production capacity of 157 MW of electricity 49% (77MW) from diesel, 36% (56MW) from oil, and 15% (23 MW) from solar. ¹¹

The Gambia seeks to scale up its generation capacity to 300 MW by 2025.

Source	Production (%)	Production (MW)
Diesel	49%	77
Oil	36%	56
Solar	15%	23

Projected Renewable Energy:

The Gambia aims to generate 50% of its power supply from renewable energy sources by 2030, as part of its commitment to sustainable energy development. ¹²

Daily power cuts for 10 to 12 hours are common in Gambia. ¹³

No information was found.

Installed:

Currently, one solar farm is operating in Gambia. ⁸

Projected:

15 solar projects at different stages of development and a combined generation capacity of 250 MW have been identified in Gambia. ¹⁴

Installed:

No Data was found.

Projected:

With the help of an 8.73 Million USD loan from the European Investment Bank, Solar panels and battery systems will be installed in 1000 rural schools and 100 health centers in the Gambia. ⁹

Currently, The Gambia is producing 23 MW from solar energy, the government is seeking to launch the first phase of a 150 MW solar farm which will generate 50 MW in the first phase. ¹⁵

• Photovoltaic Installer Monthly salary: 131 USD. ¹⁶
• Photovoltaic Engineer Monthly salary: 208 USD. ¹⁷

Gambia is the smallest and most densely populated country in West Africa having a population of 2,846,914 as of Thursday, August 1, 2024. ¹⁸

Estimate for Factory Rent:  5.7 USD /m² /month ¹⁹

Industrial Electricity Rates: 0.30 USD /kWh ⁴

Water Costs: 0.30 USD /m³ for domestic purposes and 0.50 USD /m³ for commercial purposes. ⁴

Key Components of Administrative Costs

Salaries and Wages:

• Photovoltaic Installer Monthly salary: 131 USD. ¹⁶
• Photovoltaic Engineer Monthly salary: 208 USD. ¹⁷

Rent for Office Space: 15.9 USD/m²/month ²⁰

²¹

Total installed electricity generation capacity: 157 MW in 2024 of which 97MW is operational. (2024)

Total generation: 510 GWh

Total consumption: 405GWh

Per capita consumption: 153.6KW

Generation mix:

Gambia has a production capacity of 157 MW of electricity 49% (77MW) from diesel, 36% (56MW) from oil, and 15% (23 MW) from solar.¹¹

Leading players:

About 73% of this installed capacity is operated by NAWEC while the remaining 27% is operated by an Independent power producer (IPP) (Karpowership). ²²

Transmission & Distribution

The Gambia has two 33 kV transmission lines, approximately 125 km long, connecting the Kotu and Brikama thermal power plants to various substations. Electricity is further distributed through 181 km of 11 kV lines to consumers at 400 V and 230 V. ⁶

Major power plants:

The Gambia primarily produces electricity from imported fossil fuels, with heavy fuel oil (HFO) being the main source. ²³

Kotu Power Station

• Capacity: 41.4 MW
• Operator: NAWEC (National Water and Electricity Company)
• Location: Greater Banjul Area, Banjul

Brikama I Power Station

• Capacity: 38.4 MW
• Operator: NAWEC
• Location: Brikama, Western Region

Brikama II Power Station

• Capacity: 17.8 MW
• Operator: NAWEC
• Location: Brikama, Western Region

Koray Bey (Karpower)

• Capacity: 36.0 MW
• Operator: Karpowership (Operated by Karadeniz Power Ship Koray Bey Company Limited, A Turkish Company)
• Location: Greater Banjul Area, Banjul

Energy Imports: In 2021 Gambia imported fuel worth 272,801 USD. ²⁴

The Gambia adheres to international standards for solar energy technologies, including those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ²⁵

• IEC 61215: For PV modules, evaluates long-term performance and reliability.
• IEC 61646: For thin-film PV modules, assessing performance and durability.
• IEC 61730: Ensures electrical and mechanical safety of PV modules.
• IEC 61701: Tests salt mist corrosion resistance, important for coastal installations.
• IEC 62716: Evaluates ammonia corrosion resistance for agricultural environments.
• IEC 60068-2-68: Assesses blowing sand resistance for durability in sandy conditions.
• IEC 62108: Specifies design qualification for concentrator PV modules.

• REPgam: The Renewable Energy Potentials in The Gambia REPGam project, funded by Germany’s BMBF, is a 3.7 million USD initiative started in 2021 to train over 200 Gambians in renewable energy technologies. ²⁶
• Investment: A 149.6 million USD investment from the European Investment Bank, World Bank, and partners target restoring the energy grid and installing solar PV units in health facilities and schools.²⁶
• GERMP: The Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP) is a 165 million USD initiative by the World Bank, EU, and EIB, featuring a 23 MWp solar plant in Jambur to boost renewable energy and create jobs. ²⁷
• Feed-in Tariffs and Net Metering Initiatives: Feed-in tariffs and net metering initiatives under the Renewable Energy law support on-grid electricity generation and attract investments. ²⁸

Only one solar farm is currently operational in Gambia. ⁸

Jambur Solar PV Plant

• Capacity: 23 MW
• Location: Jambur, The Gambia
• Operator: Gambia Renewable Energy Company (GREC)
• Operational Status: Commissioned on February 9, 2024

Projected Solar Projects: ¹⁴

15 solar projects at different stages of development and a combined generation capacity of 250 MW have been identified in Gambia.

Z-One (Jambur)

• Capacity: 10 MW
• LCOE: $83/MWh
• Status: On hold, no expected completion date.

World Bank (Jambur)

• Capacity: 20 MW
• LCOE: $83/MWh
• Status: Land reserved, feasibility study completed, procurement process launched.

Solar Park (Soma)

• Capacity: 80 MW + additional 70 MW
• LCOE: $81/MWh
• Status: Land identified, feasibility study began in April 2020.

Farafenni Project (NAMA)

• Capacity: 4 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Land identified for development.

Bansang Project

• Capacity: 5 MW
• LCOE: $81/MWh
• Status: Included in past land banking.

Basse Project (NAMA)

• Capacity: 6.5 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Included in past land banking.

Islamic Development Bank Project

• Capacity: 5 MW (split between two nearby sites in Njaw and Nyanga Bantang)
• LCOE: $81/MWh
• Status: Land identified, designed to relieve voltage drop in the system.

Bwiam

• Capacity: 20 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by NAWEC.

Barra/Essau

• Capacity: 15-20 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Near the Barra generation station, potential for 15-20 MW.

Farafenni – East

• Capacity: 64.3 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

Njaba Kunda

• Capacity: 107.7 MW
• LCOE: $87/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

N’Joben

• Capacity: 5.0 MW
• LCOE: $81/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

Soma – West

• Capacity: 104.2 MW
• LCOE: $82/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

GBA – East

• Capacity: 56.2 MW
• LCOE: $84/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

Basse – North Bank

• Capacity: 22.8 MW
• LCOE: $84/MWh
• Status: Site proposed by ECA/Waya.

Here are some notable solar companies in the Gambia.

GAM-Solar Energy & Engineering Co. Ltd:

A leading solar energy company in The Gambia, established in 1998. They focus on designing, installing, and promoting solar technologies, including solar water pumping systems and solar solutions for businesses and communities. ²⁹

Wagner Solar Gambia:

Specializes in solar heating, pumping, and power systems. They offer a wide range of services, including installations for residential and commercial properties, focusing on sustainability and renewable energy. ³⁰

Global Energy Gambia:

This company is involved in installing solar systems primarily for residential and commercial purposes. They are known for their expertise in integrating solar power with existing energy infrastructures to enhance energy efficiency​. ³¹

Green Energy Solutions:

Established in 2019, this company is relatively new but has quickly become a significant contributor to the solar energy landscape in The Gambia. They focus on innovative solar solutions for both urban and rural communities. ³¹